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COIN
Unique ID: BH-7ACDB2
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A silver penny of Ecgberht of Wessex (802-839). This would appear to be a previously unrecorded coin type. The obverse is as North's 'Portrait Type', no. 576, minted in Rochester between c. 825 and c. 828. The moneyer is Ethelmod, who is a known moneyer of North 576; however, the reverse image is not as that in 576 (a cross with a wedge in each angle), but is a match for the obverse of North no. 582, a 'Non-portrait Type' of c. 828-c. 839, the form of which is a cross pattee on a cross saltire with a lozenge centre.
The coin is damaged, is missing a small portion and there is some adhering copper corrosion. The surfaces, however, show little sign of wear. The diameter is 19.9mm, the thickness is 0.5mm and the weight is 1.17g.
Mark Blackburn and Rory Naismith (pers. comm.) confirm this to be a new coin type for Ecgberht of Wessex. According to Dr. Naismith, "The distinction between 'early' and 'late' Rochester pennies of Ecgberht is very tentative, and this new find only adds to the complications: it combines a 'late' obverse type (used here on the reverse) with an 'early' bust. Consequently it could be transitional, or an indication that a variety of portrait and non-portrait designs were used side by side across the period 825-839".
Notes:
Also recorded on EMC as 2011.0057
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance
Class:
Penny
Sub class: North 576/582
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Middle
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 825
Date to: Circa AD 839
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 0.5 mm
Weight: 1.17 g
Diameter: 19.9 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 9th January 2011
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: Ver 11/11; EMC2011.0057
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Incomplete
Coin data (numismatics)
Denomination: Penny
Ruler/issuer: Ecgberht of Wessex
Mint or issue place: Rochester
Category: Coin of the kings of Wessex 9th-10th centuries
Type: N 576 (Ecgberht, Portrait, Rochester)
Obverse description: Diademed bust right.
Obverse inscription: +ECGBEORHT REX
Reverse description: Cross pattee on cross saltire with lozenge centre.
Reverse inscription: +EDELMOD MONET (N and E ligated)
Die axis measurement: 3 o'clock
Degree of wear: Hardly worn: extremely fine
Coin references
No coin references available.
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Essex (County)
District: Uttlesford (District)
To be known as: Chrishall
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North, J.J. | 1994 | English Hammered Coinage: Volume I. Early Anglo-Saxon to Henry III, c. 600-1272 | London | Spink and Son Ltd | 87-88 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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