Anglo Saxon Contemporary Imitation Series C Sceat

Hi there

I recently purchased this coin and emailed Tony Abramson who suggested it was a series C Anglo Saxon sceat but probably a contemporary imitation rather than an official issue. The seller said it was found near Kelvendon, Essex.

Mr Abramson said the following: "However, this specimen is not a straight-forward C as the "votive standard" in the centre of the reverse design on variety C1 (i.e. the beaded compartment containing the Ts and Is around the central annulet) is up-side-down, with the vestigial crescent shaped "tufa" at the bottom of your reverse image, when it should be at the top. Therefore the coin is probably a contemporary imitation (i.e. not a fake, just an unofficial issue - not that we know what was "official")."

I was wondering whether anyone can tell me about series C and when they were minted and what the relationship between contemporary imitations and "official" issues is.

I was also interested in whether anyone can read the runes next to the bust and tell me what they are and what they might mean. They seem to be the opposite way round to other series c coin images I have found via google.

Unfortunately I do not have the budget to buy many Angko Saxon coins (I could only afford this one because of the crack) so I can't really justify buying one of Tony Abramson's books at the moment.

Many thanks in advance if anyone can help.