Year in review 2018- medieval Anglo-Saxon coins

Tough to stop at 10 since I added over 30 coins to my collection this year. But these were among my favorites-


Anglo-Saxon secondary sceatta, series K (Kent), type 33 (720-750)
An iconic coin, with the reverse lion's head with coiled tongue. Not the highest grade coin I bought this year, but a miniature masterpiece of Saxon art, simplistic though it may be.



Anglo-Saxon secondary sceatta, series K (Kent), type 42 (720-750)
Despite falling in the same "series" of sceattas, this coin and the above are considerably different. I actually acquired 4 series K (for Kent) sceattas this year, and two of them are in my top 10. The imagery of the reverse creature (a hound?) eating berries off a vine is mirrored in another coin from Northumbria featured later



Aethelred I of Northumbria, first reign (774-779)
O: EDILRED
R: fantastic beast right, cross under tail, triquetra below
Beast-type coin from this little-known ruler's first reign. The "fantastic beast" was featured on coins of Aldfrith, Eadberht, Alchred, Aelfwald I, and Aethelred I. At some point, the design changed to a more basic design without the creature, with the king's name on one side and the moneyer on the other.
Once a great rarity, it is now a slightly-less-than-great rarity, still the most difficult of the "beast types" to find and the last one for me to acquire.


Styca of Aethelred II, first reign (844-848), moneyer Leofthegn
O: +EDILRED REX
R: LEOF DEG N, fantastic beast with triquetra above forelegs
The most artistic of the least artistic coins, the only styca to feature a "fantastic creature" with a nod to olden times. Only one reverse die recorded for this rare issue, though at least a dozen of these are known. The creature is often called a dog. The similarity to the series K coin depicted above is uncanny and probably intentional.


Penny of Offa of Mercia (757-796), by moneyer Aethelnoth
O: M OFFA REX
R: + EDELD NO
Offa was the first monarch to produce pennies, replacing the sceattas in southern England. This coin is ex-Archbishop Sharp collection with a provenance of some 300+ years


Penny of Coenwulf of Mercia (796-821), by moneyer Seberht
O: +COENVVLF REX M
R: +SE BE RHT
Coenwulf continued Offa's tradition of having portrait and nonportrait coinage. While by no means common, Coenwulf's coins are among the more prolific in the Mercian series (which contains a number of serious rarities!)


Penny of Coenwulf of Mercia (796-821), by moneyer Wodel
O: +COENVVLF REX M
R: PO D E LT
The style is suggestive of the East Anglian type. Coenwulf was overlord over Kent and East Anglia, though his control of these areas was less absolute than his predecessor Offa's.


Penny of Burgred of Mercia (852-874), by moneyer Guthere
O: BVRGRED REX
R: MON GVDHERE ETA
The only common coin in the Mercian series, coins of Burgred are remarkably prolific compared to his predecessors. He was also the penultimate Mercian monarch to issue coins- Mercia would be ravaged by Vikings then become part of Wessex.


Penny of Aethelberht of Wessex (860-865), by moneyer Aethelweald
O: AEDELBEARHT REX
R: +EDELVE ALD MO N E T A
Aethelberht was the son of Aethelwulf and one of the older brothers of Alfred (the Great).


Penny of Aethelred I of Wessex (865-871), but moneyer Aelfhere
O: +AEDELRED REX
R: .MON. ELBERE .ETA.
Another older brother of Alfred the Great. Aethelred should have been the hero of the important battle of Ashdown, but Alfred received all the glory in the only recorded history. Aethlred didn't live much longer. Aethelred's son Aethelwold would have a minor role to play later, as the leader of Vikings in revolt in Northern England against his cousin Edward the Elder. Aethelred I today is largely forgotten, as the second king of that name (Aethelred II- the Unready) is infamous.

 

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A fantastic set of medievals, not a one I don't like.

Probably my favorite top 10 posted.

 

A remarkable list. The Offa obverse is a favorite, but they are all as fantastic as that beast. Nap, your Anglo-Saxon focus and the high quality of your choices--which must demand serious coin of their own--are admirable. Without giving too much away, do you find your coins via VCoins retailers, or scour auctions? I wonder how to enter the wonderful world of Saxon coinage, though it's probably cost-prohibitive.

 

You know, I never realized how many collectors of medieval coins reside here on CT. Although I have a couple, I don't collect them mainly because my budget can barely handle the Greek and Roman coins. However, I've seen some very nice medieval coins posted in the past few days, and I could be tempted especially with some of the coins you posted. The Aethelred I is particularly interesting.

 

I will buy coins almost anywhere. I have purchased from auctions, dealers, and directly from metal detectorists.

Saxon coins do get expensive. I started with the Northumbrian stycas. A common type in VF is a $50 coin. Sounds like a reasonable entry point, until you start looking at the more expensive types and watch the prices go up up up.

 

Similarly I would like to get into Greek coins, but it's just not in the cards unless I divert funds from medieval coins.

 

A stunning lot, Nap!

 

A great selection of coins. My favorite is the Coenwulf portrait coin.

 

I was most impressed with the straightforward simplicity and balance of the Offa coin.

 

Fantastic set of coins! It may be cliche to be impressed by the Offa, but an Offa from the Archbishop’s collection is quite a catch!

 

Man, I don't know anything about these coins other than they look COOL as can be! That first with the lion is awesome, the obverse looks line if Byzantine inspired. I love the one with the legend in the cross also!

 

great coins @Nap ! The Offa one speaks to me. I only have a handful of Medieval coins, mostly Crusader states in the Middle East - Bohemund, Baldwin, etc.

 

Those are some amazing coins @Nap my favorites are the Burgred and Offa pennies. I would love to see some of the other coins you picked up this year.

 

Thanks all. It appears Offa is a favorite. There is a reasonably large crack extending from the edge, that is grade and value limiting, but otherwise the coin has reasonable detail. The provenance is cool though. Historically, Offa is an important figure in Anglo-Saxon England and one of the few leaders of that time to be remembered by not just a few historians and enthusiasts.

Hopefully in 2019 I’ll be able to show off a portrait coin of his, it’s high on my wish list for next year.

 

@Nap Great group of additions this year, but the Offa is my favorite by far.

 

Very impressive!! Many of them look like you were standing next
to the coiner and just put the freshly struck coin in your pocket.
Thanks for sharing.

 

A ton of character in these coins and if we go back far enough, in many cases, a shared history. So glad to have an early 9th century Northumbrian Styca of Eanred, moneyer Aldates, most likely minted at York.

Sellers photos below from Trade Me auction. I got a mention in his listing after identifying the moneyer for him. After that happened, I thought maybe I should place a bid!

 

Wow, I'm blown away !!

Looks like a top 1 x 10 to me
Thanks for sharing

Q