Ancient and ArchaeologyΜύ permalink
Anglo-Saxon coinage
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Message 1.Μύ
Posted by TonyG (U1830405) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
Does anyone know what date the earliest Anglo-Saxon coins were in circulation? I am particularly interested in Northumbrian coinage. I believe that there are some associated with Aldfrith (685 AD) but what, if any, coins would have been used before then? Was it a simple barter economy? Did they use old Roman coins? If there were no coins, how would a king reward his followers?
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Message 2
Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
Hi TonyG
Where's Haesten when you need him? He will know I'm sure.
Roman coins are found in AS contexts, but they may be pierced for suspension and I don't think anyone feels that they were used as money. Precious metal Roman coins would have had bullion value of course.
Mound 1 at Sutton contained a purse of Merovingian coins dated, I believe, around 630. I understand these are assumed to be a diplomatic present rather than spending money.
The 'official' AS silver coin with a king's head is attributed to Offa (died 796). The existence of these coins were a major piece of evidence that Offa existed. Do you remember the poster who doubted this?
What you need is the exact dates of early Northumbrian sceattas and the dates of issue of Penda's coins (died 655). This needs more expertise than I can provide. I shall be very interested in the answer.
Best wishes,
TP -
Message 3
Posted by an ex-nordmann - it has ceased to exist (U3472955) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
Hi TonyG
It is commonly accepted that the earliest bona fide Saxon coinage in England was struck from around 600 CE and was modelled on Merongivian Frankish currency. These finds are primarily of "tremisses" and appear to have been deliberately weighted and minted to augment Frankish tremisses which appear to have been in circulation from around 580 CE. The finds were made in the south of the country.
The earliest evidence of indigenously produced Northumbrian coinage dates from six decades later, a period which coincided with a shift from the now devalued (and often debased) tremisses to a silver standard which also originated in Frankia, coins referred to as "sceattas" by numismatists but which also could well have been the prototypical pennies standardised more famously by Offa later.
Prior to this the evidence of re-use of Roman coinage suggests that it had never quite gone out of fashion and served some practical purpose, but beyond that only a very patchy and inconclusive picture can be drawn with regard to just what type of fiscal system (if any) applied. There is however more substantial evidence of gold coinage (and jewellery) being exchanged, hoarded and officially dispensed. A value was obviously still being placed on the precious metal content, though apparently not necessarily using any broad standard of exchange or under any official control.
Barter must have prevailed, and indeed even long after coinage was re-introduced. The system of reward (and fines etc) would probably have closely resembled the Irish model, where coinage had never been in vogue and which was pretty well described by contemporaries. Land, marriage, livestock, weaponry, precious metals and the right to levy were the principal commodities and services which typified royal beneficence. -
Message 4
Posted by Herewordless (U14549396) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
There's not much I can add, but maybe these links can help?
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Message 5
Posted by ChrisB5 (U14582135) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010
Try Dave the Moneyer www.grunal.com or if that doesn't find his website try googling Grunal Moneta. If anyone would know, he would.
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Message 6
Posted by Stoggler (U14387762) on Friday, 13th August 2010
The existence of these coins were a major piece of evidence that Offa existed. Do you remember the poster who doubted this?
Μύ
I certainly do! Frustrating but at the same time rather enjoyable having the discussions with him! -
Message 7
Posted by Haesten (U4770256) on Monday, 16th August 2010
Where's Haesten when you need him? He will know I'm sure.
Μύ
Been in Hambugh for a few days TP, I will have to look into the archeologhy of the area.
I think there's evidence that Roman gold and silver coins stayed in use for some time, many are clipped/hacked, much like Viking hack silver.
The ring givers of Beowulf refers to hack silver/gold, presumably the early AS would have worn their wealth on their arm like Beowulf.
The coins in the Sutton Hoo purse are all from different mints, the odds on this being chance from a treasure chest, is about the same as winning the lottery. -
Message 8
Posted by Haesten (U4770256) on Monday, 16th August 2010
archaeology
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Message 9
Posted by Haesten (U4770256) on Monday, 16th August 2010
The Sutton Hoo purse contained 37 gold coins that appear to have been minted in France, 3 blanks and 2 ingots.
It is possible that East Anglia was forging Frankish coins, Offa of Mercia's famous Muslim coin for example.
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