Anglo-Saxon Sceatta

I have had a number of Anglo-Saxon sceattas on this website and here’s another. This one came in from Stephen Palmer.

On the obverse is a fairly crude radiate head facing right with two annulets in front. On the reverse is a bird perched upon a Maltese cross, which has nothing in the angles. The coin is an imitation of series BIII and as such is of considerable rarity.

Valuation

A similar coin but struck from different dies was sold by Classical Numismatic Group back in 2007. It was lot 1352 in the Beowulf collection and was described as being extremely rare. The pre-sale estimate was $750 but the hammer price was only $480.

Due to its rarity this is the sort of coin that would be of interest to specialist collectors of early Anglo-Saxon coins. After the two recent sales of coins from the Abramson collection some enthusiasts might be a bit short of money.

Stephen’s coin would grade VF but both sides have been struck off centre. In its present condition a likely pre-sale auction estimate would be £300 – £400.

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