Featured Roerbakmix Early Medieval Top 10 of 2021 (+ 1 Greek coin)

To stay in tradition, I will post my top 10 of 2021. As for most, 2021 will be remembered as the year of the pandemic. Prices of coins soared, and as a medical doctor, I had little spare time to spend on coins. Hopefully, next year will be better.

I've just checked my database: only 19 coins were added to the collection this year (that is: I've bought more, but decided to sell of a large part of my non-sceatta collection recently. Many of the better Roman and Greek coin will be sold at Roma's e-auctions 91 and 93). Of these 19 coins, four were Greek, and the remaining 15 were sceatta's. In fact: I have increased the number of sceatta's from 38 last year to 53 this year. In my top 10 of 2020, 5/10 coins were sceatta's; in 2019, only 1/10 coins was a sceatta, illustrating the current focus of my collection.

#10 To please the Graecophils and keep it real-ancient, for good measure. I've showed this coin in another thread here, along with a sceatta that didn't made the list.

GREEK, Anonymous. Denomination: AR Stater or , minted: Tarsos, Cilicia; 410-385 BC Obv: Total die break or corrosion; should show a warrior, holding two spears in right hand, on horse galloping left; to right, bee upward. Rev: TRZ (Tarsus), hoplite wearing Corinthian helmet, kneeling right, in defensive position holding spear and shield.
Weight: 10.4g; Ø:22mm. Catalogue: SNG France 211-212; Chandon 635-636. Provenance: Ex. collection Prof. Dussen; Ex. Auktion Hirsch Feb 2003; Ex. coll. T. Nuij; acq.: 01-2021
Die break on obverse die typicial for issue; flan-crack or test cut

#9 This is a nice primary phase (680-710 AD) continental sceatta. Four types are known, primarily categorized based on minor differences of the reverse. This specific reverse type (variety K) completes the subcollection of plumed bird sceatta's, and is in superb condition.
I discussed the coin, and presented an overview of the different subtypes, in a separate thread.

EARLY MEDIEVAL, Anonymous. Denomination: AR Sceatta (Series E, plumed bird variety K), minted: Frisia; 680-725 AD Obv: Plumed bird to the right, tail ending in three straight lines; cross-pommee between tail and claws, two pellets below straight beak; pellets in field Rev: Central pellet-within-annulet, four pelleted straight lines around, typicial > < formation of pellets on the sides Weight: 1.25g; Ø:11.6mm. Catalogue: No die match in JMP 2010. Provenance: Ex. Hollandia Numismatics; acq.: 04-2021

#8 The same plumed bird type, but now with a different reverse, which was bought as an upgrade of a similar (but probably imitated) coin.

EARLY MEDIEVAL, Anonymous. Denomination: AR Sceatta (Series E, plumed bird type var L), minted: Frisia magna; 680-720 Obv: Plumed bird to the right, tail ending in three straight lines; pellet-within-annulet below straight beak; cross in front. Rev: Five pellet-within-annulets, with doublets of pellets between, all within square field; cross-pommee outside. Weight: 1.17g; Ø:12.1mm. Catalogue: . Provenance: Ex iNumis (auction 42, lot 190, 05.06.2018); acq.: 04-2021

#7 Not particularly rare, but one of the first sceatta's minted, probably in Kent (UK). I noticed the coin at a coin fair in 2020, but didn't buy it as I wasted my entire budget on two other sceatta's. It was relatively cheap however. The seller didn't have a website, and I didn't remember his name. Via-via, I was able to locate him using facebook (oldscool!) and secured the coin.

EARLY MEDIEVAL, Anonymous. Denomination: AR Sceatta (Series A), minted: Probably Eastern England; 690-710 AD Obv: Radiate bust to the right, somewhat curde, curved line of pellets beneath crown, legend (partly off-flan): TIC Rev: TTo// standard, without clear tuva as. Weight: 0.75g; Ø:10mm. Catalogue: Abramson 3-10. Provenance: Ex. Heritage Europe auction 50, lot 3935 (24.05.2016); Ex. World Coins Company 28-01-2021; acq.: 01-2021 Personal communication with Tony Abramson (28-01-2021): "It's certainly Series A with the TIC legend. There are a few anomalous features as you point out - the large head, the curved hairline and the disintegrated tufa. I would suggest this deterioration and the light weight, places it late in Series A. "

#6 This is one of those coins that looks much better in hand than on the photo. It's also a relatively early sceatta, Series F, minted in the Western parts of France. I'm not entirely convinced of it being a sceatta: it more resembles a Merovingian denier. The distinction between those coins isn't that black and white anyways.
I showed this coin in a separate thread, where I challanged @IMP Shogun to buy a sceatta. I'm curious @IMP Shogun: did you buy one?

EARLY MEDIEVAL, Anonymous. Denomination: AR Sceatta (Series F), minted: probably continental; 695-705 Obv: Bust facing right, wearing helmet with neck gaurd, large nose to forehead, cross-patte behind. Blundered legend around. Rev: Cross on steps, annulets around, blundered legend around (largely off-flan) Weight: 1.22g; Ø:11.5mm. Catalogue: Abramson 106-35. Provenance: Ex iNumis Mail Bid Sale 18, lot 385, 19-10-2012; acq.: 04-2021 Pleasant dark-grey toning. Obverse struck with fresh die; reverse with worn die.

#5 A sceatta with a real Anglo-Saxon vibe: a fantastic beast on the reverse, two (albeit worn) figures staring at me: what's not to like?

EARLY MEDIEVAL, Anonymous. Denomination: AR Sceatta (Series N, type 41b), minted: Probably Eastern England; 715-720 AD Obv: Two figures facing forward, long cross pommee between, both wearing long tunics, long crosses at either side Rev: Crested monster left, looking back, crest behind, tail raised, claws beneath, pellets in field Weight: 1.06g; Ø:11mm. Catalogue: Abramson 52-40 (scarce). Provenance: Ex. private collection; acq.: 01-2021 Minor iron deposits on the obverse, cleaning scratches on reverse

#4 A superb example of the series J. A coin probably minted in York, showing a diademed bust (of who?) on the obverse and a Christian symbol on the reverse - a dove on a cross. This coin was hidden in the French iNumis with rather poor photo's. I found an earlier listing somewhere else, showing the terrific patina, and quickly bought it.
I discussed the coin in a separate thread.

EARLY MEDIEVAL, Anonymous. Denomination: AR Sceatta (Series J, type 85), minted: Anglo-Saxon; 710-725, York Obv: Diademed head right, double strand pearl diadem Rev: A bird on a cross, pellets in field in front of bird and below horizontal bar on the cross; annulets at the ends of the horizontal arms, beaded inner circle Weight: 0.98g; Ø:10.8mm. Catalogue: . Provenance: Ex Gallery 51 (May auction, lot 185, 30.05.2014), Ex iNumis (Auction 42, lot 191, 05.06.2018), Ex iNumis (shop, 27-04-2021); acq.: 04-2021

#3 A coin with a real "Viking-vibe", probably minted in Danmark between 700-800 AD. Colloquially known as the 'Wodan-sceatta': a facing bust on the obverse, with two Christian symbols (the crosses), and a fantastic beast on the reverse, biting its tail. Nobody really knows who's depicted on the obverse, but just to piss off @AnYangMan, I'm going to stick with Wodan. Not really rare, but in this scarce in this condition (though minted slightly off-center both on obverse and reverse).
I discussed the coin in a separate thread.
EARLY MEDIEVAL, anonymous. Denomination: AR Sceatta (Series X), minted: Ribe, Danmark (or Frisia); 710-800 AD Obv: Facing 'Wodan' head with radiate hear, beard and mustache, cross on either side, all within line border. Rev: Bipedal monster in flight, looking back, gaping jaws biting raised triple-forked tail, crest before with pellet and, ornaments below head.
Weight: 1.11g; Ø:11.1mm. Catalogue: Abramson 103-10. Provenance: Ex. Hendrik Eeuwe; acq.: 04-2021

#2 It's not pretty, but as a specialist, this coin was one of my most prized additions of last year. It's a primary phase VERNVS sceatta, probably minted on the continent. The obverse shows a helmeted individual, with Latin VERNVS around. This was a 'must-have' as it's an obverse die match to another VERNVS in my collection (and a reverse die-match to VERNVS from the collection of Abramson). What's more: the coin came with a find location from the Northern parts of the Netherlands. I've bought it in May 2021, and have reunited it with its die-matched brother after ~1350 years.
I discussed the coin in a separate thread.

EARLY MEDIEVAL, Anonymous. Denomination: AR Sceatta (Series E, VERNVS), minted: Magna Frisia; 695-710, Frisia Obv: Crude diademed head to the right, VER[N]V[S around Rev: Standard with central O, two chevrons in upper corner, diagnoal lines in lower. Above, a tufa
Weight: 1.1g; Ø:11.1mm. Catalogue: Abramson 6-10; die-matched to Metcalf&Op den Velde Series E obv die chain 3463-5. Provenance: Ex. Johan Wiersma, who bought it from a metal detectorist who found the coin near Leens, Groningen. ; acq.: 05-2021

#1 My most recent addition, a series H ("Hamwic") sceatta, showing a fantastic beast on the obverse, and a Celtic-Cross on the reverse. It illustrates the Anglo-Saxon use of (then already) ancient decorations on their coins, in combination with decorations that were in fashion those days. This is my first ebay-purchase, bought with help from @AnYangMan - who photographed the coin as well. It came with an interesting dated ticket with notes of the archaeologist that found it. Though expensive, it's probably worth twice or thrice what I paid for it, and I consider myself lucky to have been able to snag it.
I discussed the coin in a separate thread.

EARLY MEDIEVAL, Anonymous. Denomination: AR Sceatta (Series H), minted: Hamwic Mint; 720-745 AD Obv: Pecking bird in beaded foliage, right, wing raised and curled, pellet eye, beak open, feet splayed, pellets in field. Rev: void Celtic cross, encompassing four rosettes, central rosette, no pellet cross.
Weight: 0g; Ø:mm. Catalogue: Abramson 46-10. Provenance: Found at Westfield Farm Cheriton on 21-05-2006, according to the notes of the archeologist that found it ("ref WF/105, Area no B); acq.: 10-2021 Sharply struck, underlying lustre, high relief and a pleasant toning

 

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Very interesting sceattas, haven't seen too many of those. I agree that because of Covid I bought fewer coins this year than last, but ended up spending more.

 

Nice pick-ups this year @Roerbakmix! I always liked the ‘wide head’ sceattas and the ones with the bird on them. Well done!

 

Dagnabbit, @Roerbakmix! You're making me want to collect these types and I do not need another coin habit!

Seriously, what a visually interesting group of coins! All of the porcupine types are wonderful but that beast reverse (#5), bird-on-cross (#4), and the Wodan head/ monster (#3) are my favorites.

Congrats on a great year!

 

@Roerbakmix....Super looking group...I really do like abstract portraits and designs, these Sceatta's certainly meet these criterias....Lovely! Congrats, excellent 12 months.

 

Sceatta party! Congratulations on your additions this year. Fanatastic beasts and where to find them; on your coins obviously

 

Great list @Roerbakmix . My favorites;

• #3 - Neat monster and “Woden”
• #5 - Neat monster!
• #10 - Very nice hoplite reverse

Your monster coins remind me of this carved door (ca. AD 1200) I saw in Iceland that shows a knight slaying monsters.

 

1, 3 and 8 are my favorites, even though any of them would make my day

Q

 

The imagery on those coins is amazing. Thank you for posting them.

 

Thanks all for the kind replies. I did receive one very angry reply of @AnYangMan complaining about my No #1 coin, which should have been this one:

Just another random Series E, but then ex @AnYangMan.


@Curtisimo: wonderful woodcutting. In the span of the ~500 years between these coins and your door, so much happened in that region.

@TIF just do it

 

See, now it's perfect!

 

Roerbakmix, This is an interesting group of bizarre looking coinage ! My favorites would be 4, 3, & 5 .