1/2 Penny - Offa Light Coinage, non-portrait type
| Issuer | Mercia, Kingdom of |
|---|---|
| Year | 780-792 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1/2 Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Pound |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 0.43 g |
| Diameter | 16 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Half circle |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) |
| Obverse description | King`s name in two lines with chevron-barred A, separated by beaded bar with forked ends; outer beaded circle both sides, various pellets in the field. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
oFFA [Rex] (Translation: [King] Offa.) |
| Reverse description | Moneyer name in two lines divided by beaded bar with cross ends, chevron-barred A; various pellets in the field. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
EdEL [weald] (Translation: Aethelweald moneyer.) |
| Edge | |
| Mint |
Canterbury, England London, United Kingdom(650-1279) |
| Mintage |
ND (780-792) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 1708415480 |
| Additional information |
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Historical Context: This 1/2 Penny belongs to Offa's "Light Coinage" (780-792), struck by the powerful Mercian king (r. 757-796). Offa’s extensive coinage reform established the silver penny as the enduring standard for centuries. The introduction of fractional denominations like this half-penny signifies a sophisticated economy and demand for smaller transactions, underscoring Mercia's economic and political ascendancy in Anglo-Saxon England.
Artistry: As a non-portrait type, this 1/2 Penny's design typically features an elegant epigraphic obverse, displaying "OFFA REX" around a central motif like a cross or geometric pattern. The reverse generally carries the moneyer's name within a similar cruciform or linear design. While engravers are anonymous, the style is distinctly Anglo-Saxon, characterized by clear lettering and powerful symbolic iconography, drawing on Insular artistic traditions.
Technical/Grading: Struck in silver on a small, thin 16mm flan weighing 0.43g, the technical execution of this hammered half-penny varies. High-points for wear or strike include the central obverse motif, serifs and crossbars of the legends, and linear borders. Manual striking often results in off-centring, irregular flan shape, or areas of flatness, especially on the periphery. Well-preserved specimens reveal fine silver quality and die clarity.