Buried Words

I'm so proud to introduce Focklyn Oanluckit — Buried Words — my new collection of hand-struck silver coins, created as part of Culture Vannin's Treisht26 celebrations for Blein ny Gaelgey, the Year of the Manx Language.

The collection takes its name from two things at once: the buried Viking and Celtic hoards unearthed across the Isle of Man, and the Manx language itself — a language that came so close to being lost, and is now being beautifully, stubbornly reclaimed. Each coin is hand-struck using the original Viking technique — engraved steel dies pressed onto fine silver blanks — so every single one carries its own organic imperfections, its own slightly off-centre character, just like the ancient coins that inspired them. The dies were engraved locally by Island Engraving, keeping the whole project rooted in the Island from start to finish.

The designs are drawn directly from burial coins excavated across Mann. The lettering font is hand-traced from inscriptions on unearthed coins, and the motifs — a longship, a quartering cross, and three dots thought to be an early Three Legs of Man — all come from symbols found repeating across the buried hoards. Into these ancient forms I've woven three phrases from the Manx language: our island's slogan, Traa Dy Liooar (time enough), My Ghraih (my love), and My Veen (my darling).

The coins are currently on display as part of the Mind your Language exhibition at the Manx Museum in Douglas, open until 4th October 2026 — and if you haven't been, I really hope you get the chance to go. I went along to the opening on Friday night with my mum, and it was just lovely. The room was full of native Manx speakers actually speaking in Manx, and the support for the language felt so genuine and so alive. It was one of those evenings that reminds you why this kind of work matters.

The coins are available to buy as necklaces in collaboration with the Manx Museum heritage gift shop! They are also available on my website where 30% of every online sale is passed directly to the Manx Museum, supporting the care of the Island's historic sites, countryside, and cultural heritage. 

Gura Mie Ayd!