Description
Denomination: Silver sceat (plural sceattas), secondary phase, type 36
Period: Early Anglo Saxon
Date: AD 710-760
Origin: Southern England
Condition: VF+
Obverse: Diademed bust, right, cross in front, beading around
Reverse: Two birds, right, with cross before
Size and Weight: 12mm, 0.93g
References: Spink 802D, Abramson 20
Features and Provenance: After the Romans left Britain, a power vacuum emerged. Regional tribal leaders fought for land and invaders took arrived from Germany and Scandinavia. This time of turmoil we romantically call the Anglo Saxon period but it eventually shaped what we are today. Britain was split into kingdoms and ruled by rival ‘kings’. There was no coinage to speak of but the silver sceat emerged with the influence of Merovingians and Roman references. Our example may well have the portrait of Constantine once he converted to Christianity. The old English meaning of ‘sceat’ is ‘wealth or money’, although it is uncertain what they would have called these coins it may very possibly have been ‘penny’.
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
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