Catalog
See full images - free registration
Continue with Google - no registration!
or register with email
Why register? Just to keep bots out of our catalog. Your email stays private - we will never share it or send you anything uninvited. We guarantee you that!
Sceat - Aldfrith
| Issuer | Kingdom of Northumbria |
|---|---|
| Year | 685-705 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Central raised annulet surrounded by a stylised radiate pattern composed of serpentine or runic-style symbols arranged in a rosette formation, the whole enclosed within a beaded border. The design exhibits the bold, abstract Anglo-Saxon die-cutting characteristic of Northumbrian sceats of the late 7th to early 8th century. The legend +ALdFRIduS, referencing King Aldfrith, is distributed around the central motif in a circular arrangement. The lettering is rendered in a mixed uncial and insular script typical of the period. The field shows the irregular flan characteristic of hammered coinage. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Aldfrith came to the Northumbrian throne unexpectedly in 685 following the catastrophic defeat at Nechtansmere, where his half-brother Ecgfrith was killed fighting the Picts — a battle that effectively ended Northumbrian expansion north of the Forth. Aldfrith was a scholar-king, reputedly fluent in Irish and credited with owning a copy of Bede's cosmographical text, exchanged for eight hides of land. His reign stabilized a kingdom in shock.
Northumbrian sceats of this period show considerable die variation and are frequently found in poor metal, the silver already beginning the gradual debasement that would accelerate under his successors.