“Eclectic” Anglo-Saxon sceatta

This is the first Anglo-Saxon silver sceatta that has come in for quite some time. The coin was found very recently by Roger Paul.

On the obverse is a standing figure holding in each hand a long cross with a pommee head. On the reverse is an interlaced cross with triquetra limbs, a central pellet and a rosette n each angle. In the Standard Catalogue sceattas of this type are included in the ‘Eclectic’ range as number 821.

An example of a similar coin was listed as variety 2 in the Abramson auction when the collection was sold on 30 September 2021. It was lot 976 in the sale catalogue and was described as ‘ . . . waterworn, otherwise a bolder fine, rare.’ It was not included on the post-sale price list so presumably it did not sell.

Valuation

The sceatta found by Roger would grade near VF but the reverse has been struck well off centre. However, it is in better condition and scores higher on eye appeal than the Abramson example. It is actually a very rare die paring so if I was cataloguing it for sale at auction I’d set the pre-sale estimate at £350-450.

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