Contemporary copy of a penny of Aethelstan I

Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme CC By SA2.0
Issued by: Æthelstan
Denomination: Penny
Mint: Ipswich
Period: Anglo-Saxon
Date found: 22/05/2022
Location: Aylesbury Vale

Description

It is difficult to be certain of the origin of this unusual coin but a contemporary copy of a penny of Aethelstan I seems the most likely. The obverse legend reads +I+EÞELRTIN is a passable attempt at the king’s name and reverse legend of  +EAIRRmI may be an attempt at a genuine moneyer’s name. The “keyhole” device on the reverse may be an attempt at a bust. However, it would be unusual to be on the other side of the coin to the king’s name and if the engraver was able to produce this quality, he could surely have produced a bust, he he wanted to.