Rights Holder: Northamptonshire County Council
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Unique ID: NARC-45C3AB
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A complete silver Witten of Medieval date (AD 1300-1400). The coin is a from Rostock in Germany.
Obverse: MONETA SRIPESWO; Pomeranian Griffin facing left.
Reverse: WIVITAS NLACnO[]OL; Short cross with central star.
Diameter: 18.16mm, Thickness: 0.68mm, Weight: 1.1g.
Birmingham Museum states that: 'Witten were good quality silver coins worth 4 local pennies (pfennige). They were struck in North Germany in the 14th and 15th centuries, mainly by members of the Hanseatic League. Witten meant 'white' in the local dialect and was used to distinguish the coins from the lower value, debased 'black' coin. The griffin that is depicted on the coin is the traditional symbol of Rostock.The Hanseatic League was a grouping of towns and cities in Northern Germany and the Baltic Sea. Primarily a trading association, the League used military power to protect and advance its members' interests and it was an important political force throughout northern Europe from the 13th to 16th centuries.'
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 0.68 mm
Weight: 1.1 g
Diameter: 18.16 mm
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Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
Obverse description: Pomeranian Griffin facing left
Obverse inscription: MONETA SRIPESWO
Reverse description: Short cross with central star
Reverse inscription: WIVITAS NLACnO[]OL
Initial mark: Star/Flower
Die axis measurement: 11 o'clock
Degree of wear: Very worn: fair
No coin references available.
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.