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Penny - Beornwulf Group I, East Anglia mint
| Issuer | Kingdom of Mercia |
|---|---|
| Year | 823-825 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1 Penny (1⁄240) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Central field dominated by a stylized floral or radiate motif enclosed within a serpentine or scroll border, typical of the East Anglian non-portrait coinage of the period. The design departs from the conventional royal effigy, replacing it with an abstract decorative element rendered in the bold, angular style characteristic of early ninth-century Mercian and East Anglian penny production. The royal legend encircles the central device, reading clockwise around the periphery. The coin is struck on an irregular flan with a plain beaded or cable border along the edge. The entire composition reflects the influence of local moneyers working within the East Anglian tradition during Beornwulf's reign. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | +BEORNPVLF REX (Translation: King Beornwulf.) |
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| Additional information |
Beornwulf seized the Mercian throne in 823 after deposing Ceolwulf I, but his reign lasted barely two years before a disastrous defeat at Wroughton against Egbert of Wessex shattered Mercian dominance over the southern kingdoms. East Anglian production of his coinage is notable because the East Angles, emboldened by Egbert's victory, revolted almost immediately — Beornwulf was killed fighting them in 826. Coins attributable to an East Anglian mint from so compressed a political window are correspondingly scarce.