Coin, Anglo-Saxon, sceatta, silver, found in the Itchen Valley, Hampshire, issued in the first half of the 8th century.

Coin, Anglo-Saxon, sceatta, silver, found in the Itchen Valley, Hampshire, issued in the first half of the 8th century.

Silver 'sceatta'

Anglo-Saxon, AD701-750

Found by metal-detectorist in the Itchen Valley, Hampshire

The 'sceatta' - the name signifies treasure, value or payment - was the earliest Anglo-Saxon coin struck in Britain appearing around the beginning of the 7th century. It continued in circulation till about the middle or end of the 8th century when it was supplanted by an entirely new coin - the penny. This example is a series O, type 40, which can be identified by the standing figure holding two long crosses on the obverse and by the dragon, or 'wyvern', on the reverse. The location of the mint where this type was struck remains uncertain.

Coin, Anglo-Saxon, sceatta, silver, found in the Itchen Valley, Hampshire, issued in the first half of the 8th century.