1/2 Penny - Offa Light Coinage, non-portrait type
| Emitent | Mercia, Kingdom of |
|---|---|
| Rok | 780-792 |
| Typ | Standard circulation coin |
| Hodnota | 1/2 Penny (1⁄480) |
| Měna | Pound |
| Složení | Silver |
| Hmotnost | 0.43 g |
| Průměr | 16 mm |
| Tloušťka | |
| Tvar | Half circle |
| Technika | Hammered |
| Orientace | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Rytci | |
| V oběhu do | |
| Reference |
| Popis líce | 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. |
|---|---|
| Písmo líce | Latin |
| Opis líce |
oFFA [Rex] (Translation: [King] Offa.) |
| Popis rubu | Moneyer name in two lines divided by beaded bar with cross ends, chevron-barred A; various pellets in the field. |
| Písmo rubu | Latin |
| Opis rubu |
EdEL [weald] (Translation: Aethelweald moneyer.) |
| Hrana | |
| Mincovna |
Canterbury, England London, United Kingdom(650-1279) |
| Náklad |
ND (780-792) - - |
| ID Numisquare | 1708415480 |
| Další informace |
×
![]()
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.