Viking imitation of Alfred London Monogram penny

Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme CC By SA2.0
Issued by: Alfred the Great
Denomination: Penny
Mint: London
Period: Anglo-Saxon
Date found: 20/12/2021
Location: Pakenham, Suffolk

Description

A Danelaw imitation of an Alfred the Great “London Monogram” penny. It was found it 2021 but has only recently been recorded at the PAS where it has been designated a Find of Note of Regional Importance.

Danelaw

In 886, a treaty between Alfred the Great and Guthrum, the Danish warlord, defined the boundaries of their respective kingdoms. The treaty provided for peaceful relations between the two kingdoms.

This coin was found near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk which is in the Kingdom of Guthrum.

London Monogram

By the same date, Alfred had taken control of London. The “London Monogram” pennies were struck in the name of Alfred in London. These had a diademed bust facing right on the obverse and LVNDONIA (“London”) in the form of an iconic monogram on the reverse. These coins were copied in the Danelaw kingdom.