Museums Home BMAGiC Home Search Browse BMAGiC Help About BMAGiC Contact Us
           

Saxon Penny of Aethelred II, Helmet type.

View main imageView larger image
© Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery

Additional Images

Click on each image below to view at full size:
View image 2 

Basic Information

Accession Number:1992C11
Collection:Antiquities - Ancient & Mediaeval Coins
Date:978 AD - 1016 AD

Maker Information

Mint:Worcester Mint - View history
Moneyer:Goda - View biography for Goda

Notes

In the later 7th century the Anglo-Saxons changed from using gold to silver coins. Their earliest silver coins are known today as sceattas. Struck between c 675 and c 750, they are thick dumpy little coins normally without anything written on them. In the late 700's the Anglo-Saxons started making thinner, broader coins which we call pennies. They usually name the king who issued them and the moneyer who was responsible for making them. Pennies like these were made in England for hundreds of years. The obverse bust on this penny is particularly interesting as it shows the king wearing armour and a radiate helmet. It was minted at Worcester, an average sized mint, and the capital of the county of Worcestershire.

Purchased from A H Baldwin and Sons Ltd, 1992.

Further Information

Reign:Aethelred II of England
Production Period:Saxon
Material(s):Silver
Denomination:Penny
Currency:England
Place of Origin:Worcester, England

Associated People

Associated Places

Dimensions

Diameter:19 mm