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Saxon Penny of Aethelstan, Crowned Bust type

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© Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery

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Basic Information

Accession Number:1993C487
Collection:Antiquities - Ancient & Mediaeval Coins
Date:924 AD - 939 AD

Maker Information

Mint:Norwich Mint - View history
Moneyer:Burdel - View biography for Burdel

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. King Aethelstan was the first king to call himself 'King of all England'. This penny is also one of the first coins to name both moneyer and the mint where it was made.

Ian Donal Finney Bequest, 1993.

Further Information

Reign:Aethelstan
Production Period:Saxon
Material(s):Silver
Denomination:Penny
Currency:England
Place of Origin:Norwich, England

Associated People

Associated Places

Dimensions

Diameter:21 mm