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 can be described as having stylistic links to the series K type of sceatta. The reverse, the coin on the right, depicts a wolf in highly stylised form. Series K sceattas are thought to have been struck in two main mints, one in the south midlands and one in the south-east.

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