The Northumbrian Series
Introduction
In the last article on the early Anglo- Saxon silver coinage, we looked at the Secondary Phase coins struck on the continent. In this issue, we survey the last of the ‘early’ English coins with a look at the coins of Northumbria, which include early gold shillings, sceattas, and the styca coinages. While the Northumbrian coins lack the interesting designs of the sceattas, they do name individual kings and bishops and so can be much more easily dated and placed in some sort of chronological order. The arrangement of the coins in the following discussion continues to draw on Rory Naismith’s new volume in the Medieval European Coinage series Britain and Ireland c.400-1066.
Gold Shillings
The story of Northumbrian coinage began as early as the mid-seventh century, with a series of gold shillings, mirroring the production of English shillings in south-eastern England. The findspot evidence almost certainly points to the important central town of York as the mint. There is some variety in the known types but all share a similar obverse type of a facing full-length figure holding two crosses, which becomes increasingly stylized in each of the four subsequent varieties. The reverses show more diversity. The unique first type has a central forked cross with a surrounding ‘inscription’ of crosses and runic’. The next two varieties are quite similar: The first comprises a central cross in the square border with shield-shaped faces at each side and projecting angles at each corner. In a type that clearly follows the earlier one, the central area has become a grid pattern, while the shield ‘faces’ is at the corners of the grid. Crosses are placed in the space vacated by the shields. The last two varieties have some form of the inscription around a central cross (Figs. 1 & 2)
Early Silver Pennies
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2019-Ausgabe von Treasure Hunting magazine.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2019-Ausgabe von Treasure Hunting magazine.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
New Detector Network – ‘A Treasure Unearthed for Detectorists'
www.detectornetwork.com is a new online platform that has recently been launched for both beginners and experienced detectorists to share their finds, advice and learn even more about this exciting hobby.
Only a Bit of Lead
As in common with most people, when asked if they have found anything, the reply can often be “Oh, only a bit of lead.”
My Great Uncle Joseph's Anglo-Saxon Sword
My Great Uncle Joseph’s Anglo-Saxon Sword
Roman Lead Ingot Update
I would just like to update readers of Treasure Hunting magazine with some further information about the Roman lead ingot I found back in September 2019.
The Westbury Sub-Mendip Roman Hoard
The Westbury Sub-Mendip Roman Hoard
The Family Hoard
It was the end of the second week of the school summer holidays in 2019.
Remembering the 1970s
Remembering the 1970s
No More Moon Boots?
In more than four decades of detecting, the weather and varying soil conditions have all had a huge influence on the level of my enjoyment of this noble hobby.
My A-Z of Detecting
Part 1: A-G
Lost and Found?
There have been several instances over my long detecting career where, not only has it has been a delight to be able to help people who have lost things, but also a great thrill when such losses are returned to their owners. I have several memories of such occurrences.