Sigtuna box

The finder reported it to have been filled with a heavy substance like coarse wet coffee-grounds,[1] and which was probably made up of small pieces of metal.

The content, which weighed about 2 kg (4.4 lb), was unfortunately thrown away, but the box was sent to the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities where the runic inscription was discovered.

More than 100 similar scales have been found in Birka, Sigtuna's predecessor as emporia, and they were a merchant's insignia,[3] and his most important equipment.

"fuhlFugl× ualuavælva× slaitslæit× (f)aluonfalvan:× fonfannkaukgauk× oanosnasau-aau[k]a.fuhl × ualua × slait × (f)aluon × fon kauk × o nos au-aFugl {} vælva {} slæit {} falvan: {} fann gauk {} a nas au[k]a.

The adjective semskR is ambiguous and the phrase af semskum manni can both mean that the man came from Sambia and from Zemgale.

The Sigtuna box.
A box of the same kind with a Norse merchant's tools, at the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities.
Drawing of the box. Note that the runes in the drawing are not entirely accurate.