COIN HOARD

The find consists of a small stack of four base silver Early Medieval pennies which have been fused together by corrosion products, datimng to c. AD 852-874. In their present condition only one face of one coin is legible. This is the reverse of a coin of the Lunettes type, and can probably be attributed to Burgred of Mercia (852-874). The obverse of this coin is not visible, but although the Lunettes issue was shared with Æthelred I (865-71) and Alfred (871-99) of Wessex, including some sharing of moneyers, the moneyer Cenred is currently only securely recorded issuing coins for Burgred. Cenred is also recorded as a moneyer on two examples in the name of Æthelred (But these have been condemned as 18^th-century forgeries in the most recent study (Lyons and MacKay 2007, 114), and the coin can be attributed to Burgred on that basis. Because of the shared coinage, it is not particularly surprising for Mercian coins to be deposited in Wessex during this period, and the remaining illegible coins are equally likely to be Mercian or West Saxon issues.

There is recorded Viking activity in this area in 871, and it is possible that the deposition of the hoard may be linked to uncertainty around the presence of the Viking ‘great raiding army’ at this time. However, given the small size of the hoard, it is perfectly possible that is merely a casual loss.

Catalogue of coins:

1. An Early Medieval base silver penny of Burgred, King of Mercia, dating to AD 852-874. Lunettes issue, reverse type d. Moneyer Cenred. North (1994: 100) no. 426. Diameter 19.8mm.
   Obverse description: Unclear.
   Obverse inscription: Illegible.
   Reverse description: Moneyer’s name in three lines between two lunettes; lunettes consisting of lines with crooks at ends.
   Reverse Description: MON//+CENRED//ETA.
2. Illegible base silver penny.
3. Illegible base silver penny.

        4. Illegible base silver penny.