Watch List notes:

ANGLO-SAXON, Archbishops of Canterbury. Æthelheard, with Offa of Mercia as overlord. 793-805. AR Penny (20mm, 1.39 g, 12h). Three-line type. Canterbury mint. Second issue, with Offa as overlord. Struck circa 792/3-796. ΛEDIL/HEΛRD/ ΛRCEΓ : in three lines / (triangle) m (triangle)/ + · ◊FFΛ/ ·: REX · in three lines. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe 83; Chick 247c (same obv. die); SCBI 67 (BM), 747-8; North 229; SCBC 885. A well struck coin. Attractively toned. EF. Very rare.


From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins. Ex Dr. E. Curti Collection (Künker 227, 11 March 2013), lot 2335; Millennia Collection (Goldberg 46, 26 May 2008), lot 183; Dr. Jacob Y. Terner Collection. Reportedly ex "Quillee" Collection.

In 792 Offa of Mercia increased the weight of the Penny following a similar reform to the Denier by Charlemagne in France. This superb coin was struck for Archbishop Aethelheard acknowledging Offa's overlordship. Kent had been the first Anglo-Saxon kingdom to convert to Christianity and the bishop of Canterbury, the capital of Kent, gained a primacy in the early English church. This was recognised by the award of minting rights to Archbishops by successive monarchs.