1/2 Penny - Offa Light Coinage, non-portrait type

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.