(x) Mercia, Offa (757-796), Penny, 1,26g, 3h, light coinage (c.779-792/3), London, Ibba, ibba, downwards in field to right of diademed and draped bust right with diadem ties and distinctive curved shoulders, rev.ofrm, in angles of lozenge cross fleury with plain cross in centre, (Barclay, Numismatic Chronicle, 1997, pp. 229-230, and plate 48, no. 10 this coin; Chick 53a this coin; N.300; S.905), edge chipped behind portrait but only to the beaded border, an exceptional portrait, extremely fine, the remarkably smooth surfaces with an attractive light brown patina, extremely rare, one of only three examples listed by Chick and this by far the best of the three.
Provenance:
Christie's, 28 April 1993, lot 589
Aiskew, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, hoard, Autumn 1992
Estimate: £6,000.00 - £8,000.00