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Message:: [QUOTE="4to2centBC, post: 2428686, member: 76181"]I posted this on ancients, but understand that it might be better suited here on World Coins. I invite any insights or opinions since I am still researching this object. <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Viking_weight_combined_only_reflection.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> ANGLO-SAXON, Anglo-Viking (Danish East Anglia). Late 9th century. PB 1.33 Eyrir Weight (21mm, 35.85 g). Circular lead weight, obverse inset with Series K, type 32a sceat. Cf. G. Williams, Anglo-Saxon and Viking Coin Weights, in BNJ 69 (1999), no. 5 (for a similar lead weight with inset Porcupine-type sceat). For inset: Abramson 38.40.10 SCBI 63 (BM), 490 SCBC 803C-D. Incuse triangle with raised dot pattern around the edge. Much as made. Very rare and interesting. ex CNG 102 Lot 1421 May 18, 2016 "Williams' analysis of the known weights of this type clearly places them in the Danelaw during the later ninth century, when the Viking economy was still bullion-based, and weights were used for weighing both coinage and bullion. The purpose of the coins set into these weights remains uncertain, but Williams suggests that they served both a decorative and a practical function as a symbol of authority. Although the Viking economy was still pre-monetary, Williams notes that the Vikings were familiar with coinage and likely recognized that coin designs represented state authority. He also suggests that the Vikings were probably familiar with Anglo-Saxon coin weights, which were validated by the virtue of being stamped with official dies, and argues that the lack of coin dies for use on their own weights was remedied by applying a coin within each. Williams points out that the fact that some of the coins used were issued by Anglo-Saxon kings would have been irrelevant, as the vast majority of the Vikings were illiterate. The present example supports this idea, as the coin inset, a Series K, type 32a sceat struck in east Kent, should have mostly fallen out of circulation in England by this time. Accordingly, the weight could not have been used to validate only a particular series."   "quoted material courtesy of CNG Coins." The puzzler for me is that the sceat is very well preserved. This suggests the weight was created in the late 8th century and not the 9th century. Either that or the sceat was well preserved up til the point it was embedded into the lead. Anyway, just sharing and looking for any more info that readers may have. Thanks.[/QUOTE]

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