Lietuviški piniginiai sidabro lydiniai Kernavėje

Archaeological excavations at Kernavė, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lithuania, have revealed that Lithuanian monetary silver ingots and their counterfeits were widely used as payment among townsfolk during the 13th–14th centuries. Analysis of metal alloys from 28 fragments found across various sites, including the Castle Hill hillfort, showed that while some were authentic silver ingots, others were counterfeit, made from tin, copper, or lead alloys. The study suggests that ingots were often cracked or hacked to fit transactional needs, indicating a lack of standardized weight systems. Additionally, the prevalence of counterfeits and low-standard silver alloys points to a decline in state-controlled production during this pre-coinage period.

Bagdzevičienė, J., & Vėlius, G. (2010). Lithuanian monetary silver ingots in Kernavė. Archaeologia Lituana, 11, 156–168. https://doi.org/10.15388/archlit.2010.11.5306