Aethelred II Regal Issue Copper Styca Moneyer Eanred AD841-844

Description

Denomination: Copper alloy styca

Period: Anglo-Saxon, Aethelred II’s first reign

Date: c841-844

Origin: Northumbria. EANRED moneyer

Condition: EF, good strong strike for type and nice patina

Obverse: Pellet to centre with circlet of dots around. +EDILRED REX

Reverse: Cross in centre. +EANRED

Size and Weight: 12mm, 1.05g

References: Spink 865

Features and Provenance: The styca followed on from the silver sceat during the Anglo-Saxon period. With time, the styca transitioned from being silver to silver alloys and later to copper alloys as is our example. This coin was made in the Northumbrian mints of king Aethelred. England, at that time, was still divided into the kingdoms Wessex, Mercia, East Anglia, Kent and Northumbria, each with its own monarch. With the arrival of the Vikings the styca was gradually replaced by the silver penny and this became the preferred denomination.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible