Penny - Æthelheard 3rd issue

Historical Context: This penny, the 3rd issue of Archbishop Æthelheard of Canterbury (796-798), reflects a pivotal moment in Anglo-Saxon numismatics. Æthelheard’s episcopacy coincided with Mercian dominance under King Offa, who exerted significant control over Kent and the Archbishopric. The Archbishop's continued right to mint coinage highlights the substantial temporal authority and economic autonomy of the See of Canterbury, even amidst Offa's political maneuvers to diminish its primacy. This issue dates to the immediate aftermath of Offa’s powerful reign or its very end.

Artistry: The design, typical of early Anglo-Saxon coinage, directly mirrors contemporary Mercian royal issues, themselves drawing inspiration from Carolingian and late Roman prototypes. While no specific engraver is known, the stylistic school showcases the robust, often stylized, rendering characteristic of the era. The obverse typically features a bust representing the Archbishop, accompanied by his name. The reverse commonly displays a cross variant, such as a voided long cross, often encircled by the moneyer’s name, though specific design elements can vary between dies.

Technical/Grading: Struck in silver, weighing 1.29 gg and measuring 18 mmmm, this coin conforms to late 8th-century penny standards. High-points for wear typically include the forehead and nose on the obverse bust, and the central elements of the reverse cross. Technical strike qualities frequently exhibit irregular flan shapes, variable centering, and evidence of die deterioration or multiple striking. A well-centered strike with complete legends and minimal flan defects is highly sought after, reflecting the challenges of coinage production during this early medieval period.