They just found this in York, and that would make it some of old Eric's Vikings! Take a look at this CLICK HERE the story is all here!
I guess it would depend on how you define "introduced". You could say it was Eadgar in 959 AD when the silver penny became universal throughout the country. Or you could possibly say it was Constantine when he conquered Britain in 43 AD.
I didn't think (perhaps I'm wrong) the Romans minted silver (London; PLN, LON) when they were occupying the country. Only copper. There was a lot exported though. The English hammered penny is the track I'm on Offa of Mercia is who I understand was responsible. http://www.answers.com/topic/offa-of-mercia B
That's why I commented on how you would define introduced. If it were me, I would define introduced as to who brought the first silver coins into Britain - not who minted the first silver coins there. Yeah I know, I take things too literal :hug:
Chuckle, yes I'm never any good at explaining things or typing what I really want to say The Romans brought the first silver currency into the country, but the English Penny was the first (SILVER COIN) minted in country. B
You just HAD to go and say that didn''t ya Mik And here I'd been having fun searching the net like a madman for reliable information. I finally had to give up and resort to books Anyway, this did a provide an opportunity to do a bit of research, one of my favorite things. According to Prof. Philip Grierson, the silver penny was not the first silver coin minted in Britain. The first silver coin minted in Britain, by Anglo Saxons (have to add that qualification), was the sceat, struck in 90%+ silver with a weight of 20 grains or 1.3 gm around 670 AD and in or near Kent.
