Anglo-Saxon sceatta, series N

We’ve come to expect a rare Anglo-Saxon sceatta to be featured every week on this website and here is the latest example. It was found 20 years since by Andy Mitchell, who thought I would be interested in seeing his find. I was asked to provide a valuation.

On the obverse are two standing figures, each of them wearing a striped tunic. They face each other (note the very large eyes) and hold between then a long cross pommee; in the other hand both hold a long staff. There is no ground-line beneath them.

On the reverse is a monster with one raised claw. The creature looks backwards with an open mouth towards its tail.

Andy’s sceatta is an example of series N, type 41, which is listed in the Standard Catalogue as number 806, of which there are several varieties. After checking through a large number of specimens I didn’t trace one struck from the same obverse die as this one.

Valuation

The obverse would grade VF but has been struck slightly off centre. The reverse is a bit better and looks to be good VF. As the type is rare and the obverse die used to strike this coin untraced, I would expect this sceatta to have a pre-sale auction estimate no lower than £350 to £400.

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