Old-Scandinavian Symbol, 35 x 40 mm, Antique Brass plated

During the Viking Age, Birka, was an important trading center which handled goods from Scandinavia as well as Central and Eastern Europe and the Orient. The archaeological sites of Birka and Hovgarden, make up an archaeological complex which illustrates the elaborate trading networks of Viking Scandinavia and their influence on the subsequent history of Europe. Generally regarded as Sweden's oldest town, Birka (along with Hovgarden) has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.