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 Replies: 11 / Views: 3,032 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Another Dark Ages acquisition, a copper Styca of King Eanred from Northumbria. I have been looking for a nice, cheap (as far as these coins go) example for my collection, since this period of European history greatly interests me. Also, this coin fits into my post-Roman Germanic collection. This very coin also has a bit of recent numismatic history to go along with it. It was found as part of the Bolton Percy Hoard in 1847 and since then has been in three known collections. This Styca bears Eanred's name and was minted sometime between 810 and 840, during his reign. This coin, along with the other coins in the hoard, might have been buried to hide from the Vikings after their invasion of Northumbria in the 860s AD and the taking of the capital York in 866 AD. Eanred, Styca - Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria (moneyer: Monne) Obv: EANRED REX + around a cross Rev: + MONNE dot around a cross 13mm, 0.98 g  (Seller's photo) Kingdom of Northumbria, circa 800 AD  Edited by VisigothKing
04/04/2013 3:11 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Wow and excellent find. You seem to come up with the most interesting coins. This one must have set you back some money.
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
300 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4778 Posts |
Thanks echizento. Not a huge amount, but it was no junk bin purchase either. Fortunately I recuperated most of the money by selling off what I don't collect anymore.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Cool - I didnt know that England was split into kingdoms at that point. And the provenance is great!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
VK, awesome coin, love the color and details, great history as you bring with all of your coins, good job...  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I really do like this coin. I have also had my eye on a super small silver piece of this Kingdom. I originally started looking at these when I was on the quest to find ancient coins of my ancestral homeland of Scandinavia. Alass there were none. My people did not mint coins they built fine ocean going vessels and took other peoples coins. We call them Vikings. Now there is a show on this history channel. Check it out - the first couple of episodes involve them raiding in Northumbria complete with the serious stomping of Anglo Saxon monks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Quote:
Now there is a show on this history channel. Check it out - the first couple of episodes involve them raiding in Northumbria complete with the serious stomping of Anglo Saxon monks. I watch it, it's really good |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
VK:
I have a very similar coin to this, and about in the same condition. It has been in my collection since the late 1970's.
Alas, it is very dark, and very difficult to photograph. For this reason your example is superior, and thus more desirable to mine.
It is the only example of a post Roman coin of England in my collection, and that is a pity.
The bronze sceats (or stycas) of Eanred are not quite so scarce as the silver / billion ones. Even so, they are rarely available for purchase, at least in Australia.
Coins of the Dark Ages of Europe intrigue me, and I would like to acquire more examples.
I have always retained an interest in them, not because they are easy to obtain, but because they are HARD to obtain.
I have two books on the subject:
'English Coins', by G.C. Brooke, the first two chapters relate, and
'Coins of Medieval Europe', by Philip Grierson. This book is very well researched.
Edited by sel_69l
04/04/2013 10:24 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Nice coin and interesting history! That coin predates all the Viking coins I've seen-- check out my museum tour here.AncientNoob--yeah, as soon as I saw the map, I thought "wow, that's exactly the same region the Vikings later colonized". I can only guess they thought the Anglo-Saxon lands were easier to conquer--or perhaps easier access for their ships? Given my luck finding some older Norwegian coins, I hope to someday find a Viking coin in a bargain bin--because that's the only way I'll be able to afford one. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Quote:
Coins of the Dark Ages of Europe intrigue me, and I would like to acquire more examples.
I have always retained an interest in them, not because they are easy to obtain, but because they are HARD to obtain. And for me, since they are difficult to obtain, it always is a great feeling when I do get one. Thanks for the comments! |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 3,032 |
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Posted 04/04/2013 2:37 pm
