Anglo-Saxon penny: a newp from June, 2012

[EVillageProwler]

I acquired this in June, but had never posted it here. This is S-919, minted in Mercian-occupied East Anglia. The monarch is Coenwulf, who ruled Mercia from 796-821. After the decline of Northumbria, and before its conquest by the Danish Vikings, Mercia was pre-eminent among the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Mercian coinage from East Anglia are known for its crude workmanship, of which this piece is a happy exception.

 

Portrait pieces of the early Anglo-Saxon lords (and a lady!) are generally rare and expensive. (Burgred of Mercia is the lone exception!) Actually, even the non-portrait pieces are rare and expensive.

 

This present piece is fairly well-made, with good detail. It's also been well-preserved, of good metal, and with medium even gray toning. It was graded almost EF by the seller, which seems fair to me. For the series, I consider this a trophy coin.

 

* The image was done by TomB, our esteemed colleague from the light-side.