German penny from Dokkum

A German penny struck in Dokkum, Friesland (present-day Netherlands). It was struck by Bruno III, Count of Friesland in 1038–1057. On the front of the coin is the face of Henry III, wearing a crown and facing right, with a cross-staff in front of him. The back face shows the text • BR • VN •. Henry III ruled the Holy Roman Empire of Germany from 1046 to 1056.

The coin was part of the Aatservainen hoard found in Kuolajärvi, Salla, in 1839, which contained more than 170 coins, jewellery, a set of scales and 12 weights. The objects had been hidden sometime after 1110. A state official visiting the area bought the hoard and gave it to the collections of the University of Helsinki. However, the coins in the hoard were soon mixed with other findings because, in the early 19th century, items found in hoards were not kept together; for example, coins were arranged in systematic collections according to their origin and types.