A stylistic breakdown of the series E sceatta from the primary phase

Sceattas
The focus of my collection has largely shifted to sceatta's: small silver coins from the 'dark ages', likely minted between c. 690-750 AD in (current) England, France, the Netherlands and Danmark. For the collector of sceatta's, little is certain. Coins seldom come with inscriptions, and only a few hoards large enough to allow dating are known (e.g. the Kloster-Barthe hoard). Even the original name of the coin is probably incorrect, with 'denier' being more likely. Traditionally, sceatta's are divided in those from England and those from the continent, and per period: primary, secondary and tertiary phase.

The series E
This post will focus on the sceatta's of the serie E (the 'porcupines'), minted during the primary phase (c. 680-710 AD), as classified by Metcalf and Op den Velde in 2009-2010, based on 3586 (!) specimens (link to the stylistic classification and link to the die-study, both in English). I'll try to add a breakdown of the secondary phase later.

The series E is a (very) heterogenous group of sceatta's, and shows such an amount of diverse designs that it's generally assumed to include both 'official' and imitative designs. Official is between quotes, as no archaeological evidence has been found for mint locations. Yet, it's generally thought that trading centers, such as Dorestad (the current Wijk bij Duurstede) have minted their fair share of sceatta's in a sort of official manner. Typically, the series E shows a 'porcupine' on the obverse, and a 'standard' on the reverse. We do not know what this 'porcupine' exactly is: one thing it isn't however, is a porcupine (as these do not live in Europe), and that's exactly the reason for this nomenclature.

The obverse of these two different sceatta's with some commonly encountered items, that allow grouping into different categories:


The same for the reverse:


The following types are considered primary phase:

• The Plumed Bird (subvariations J, K, L and M)
• The VICO (subvariatins VICO 1, VICO 2 and VICO 3)
• The Variety G (subvariations G1, G2, G3 and G4)
• The Variety D (with no subvariations)

The plumed bird
The plumed bird is grouped into four subvariations:

On the obverse, we see a bird-like creature with two claws / legs, and a beak. Under the beak, we se a cross, or a pellet-within annulet. On the reverse, we see a central pellet-within annulet, flanked by a group of three pellets (triangle < > for var J; triangle > < for var K - the only difference in this group). Var L is somewhat different, as it includes pellets-within-annulet on the obverse and reverse; var M is known from only four specimens and includes crosses on the reverse (as the series [not variety!] G from France). So, to summarize:

• Series E, plumed bird, variety J
  • Obverse: naturalistic body and curved neck. Cross-pommée under beak
  • Reverse: four parallel lines, with triangle of pellets (facing outward)
• Series E, plumed bird, variety K
  • Obverse: naturalistic body and curved neck. Cross-pommée under beak
  • Reverse: same as variety J, but triangle of pellets facing inwards
• Series E, plumed bird, variety L
  • Obverse: tubular body, with neck continued as a straight line. Under beak a pellet within annulet
  • Five annulets with pellets inside, in each quadrant triangle of pellets.
• Series E, plumed bird, variety M
  • Very rare subgroup, obverse largely identical to variety L, but reverse shows four crosses, with central annulet with pellet in side.

The VICO variation
As with nearly everything depicted on sceatta's, we do not know for sure whether the reverse indeed reads "VICO" (or what it might mean). Metcalf and Op den Velde acknowledge this in their description:

In the VICO varieties the votive inscription in the reverse standard is replaced by an arrangement of symbols which, with the help of imagination, one may see as made up of the letters VICO, a familiar Merovingian coin legend which would be appropriate to the coinage of a wic. The variety is in any case conveniently labelled the VICO variety. Its reverse stands out at such an early date, from the more usual symmetrical patterns, encouraging us to think that the symbols originally had some meaning. (page 23 - emphasis by me)​

• Series E, VICO variety 1:
  • Obverse: four parallel lines within the curve (but not always attached), the most right one usually attached to the beak. The most left one may be attached with a diagonal line to the second-left.
  • Reverse: The reverse reproduces every element of its design down to the last pellet with scrupulous regularity. In particular, the symbol that has been read as a letter C is lop-sided and always has an extra pellet enclosed within its space. The letter I, so called, consists of three pellets close together in a row. Sometimes, but not always, they are joined by a line. However, the size of the symbols is variable, as is the position of the V, leaning over more or less to the right. The reverse border is usually off-flan, but if visible, some pseudo-letters may be seen.
• Series E, VICO variety 2:
  • Obverse: Similar to VICO variety 1, but the parallel lines are 1) often superimposed on the spine and 2) less parallel to each other, but somewhat fan-shaped.
  • Reverse: a lateral reversal of the reverse, reading more clearly as "VICO"
• Series E, VICO variety 3:
  • Obverse: similar to variety G (see later)
  • Reverse: Similar to VICO 2, except that instead of the line with three pellets, there is a line with two pellets, i.e. one at each end.

Bear with me: we are half-way!

Variety G
For some reason, Metcalf and Op den Velde have some bias to the variety G, noting:

"The design of Variety G is simple, without artistic merit." (page 29)​

The obverse of variety G shows some similarity with variety D (and with subvarieties from the secondary phase). We see a sharp beak, usually with a group of pellets near the sharp end. There is usually a square standard with an X inside, often largely off-flan. The reverse is repeated consistently in G1-4: a central pellet-within-annulet, flanked by four lines ending in a pellet, all within a dotted-line border.

• Series E, variety G1
• Usually of finer style than G2-3.
  • Obverse: Three pellets near the acute angle above the “nose”Beneath the spine a distinctive rectangular box enclosing an X, usually largely off-flan
  • Reverse: Central circle with pellet. Four parallel lines ending in a pellet. Outside dotted border, sometimes a large N, or cross-pommee
• Series E, variety G2
• Coarser style.
  • Obverse: Rectangular box is either off-flan, or has disappeared. Angle of the ‘nose’ is less acute. Three pellets are bolder. Bristles are more widely spaced
  • Reverse: Virtually indistinguishable from G1.
• Series E, variety G3.
• Coarser style
  • Obverse: No pellets near beak (= main difference). Often plumb zig-zag line beneath the central curve, at the edge of the flan (sometimes also visible on G2)
  • Reverse: similar to G1
• Series E, variety G4
  • Obverse: Spikes are more densely spaced. Under the spine is a distinctive legend XAZO, with the O being more prominent, diamond shaped and inserted into the bend of the Z.
  • Reverse: Largely similar to G1

Variety D
This variety has a distinctive porcupine obverse, with a small triangle at one end of the curve, and a bold annulet at the other end – usually but not always attached to the curve. Beneath are two pellets which can be fine or coarse, and a large cross pommée. The reverse is equally distinctive. The square of the standard on the reverse is relatively small and often lop-sided, and the style is again rough. The square contains the very simple pattern of a central annulet (normally pelletted) and four pellets in the corners.

Metcalf and Op den Velde don't further classify the variety D into subgroups, stating that the 'internal chronology is at present intractable'. Here are a few examples:


I'll end this post with a few sceatta's from the primary phase. Feel free to classify them, or to add a few!





(this one is tricky!)

 

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Thanks for the excellent post, a really good summary and beautiful examples as well.