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Description: | A pale gold Anglo-Saxon shilling modified for usage as a pendant or similar item, c.660-680 AD. It is of Sutherland type II.ii.var: Roman: Constantine (26var) with star-like object on the obverse instead of hand and cross as in Sutherland 26. The coin has been pierced and the remains of a separately cast cylindrical silver rivet are present towards one side of the flan, indicative of modification for usage as something other than a coin. Coins of this period were commonly either looped or pierced for suspension and worn as pendants, and it is likely that the purpose of the rivet was to secure a suspension loop. The coin has a very silvery appearance suggesting that the alloy has a low gold content, which is typical for the type. However, although coins of this type might conceivably fall below 10% of gold, the vast majority of the remainder of the alloy is typically silver, and although this particular example has not been tested, all comparable types tested have a precious metal content well in excess of 80%.Discussion: Three parallels to this coin are recorded on the EMC (1990.1285, 1998.0081 and 2010.0258) all with East Anglian distribution (see also Metcalf, 1993: pp. 47-49). The parallel from Billockby, Norfolk (1998.0081) differs through the presence of a left facing obverse bust and more recognisably runic legend, although the remaining two examples, both from Suffolk, offer very close parallels. The precious metal content of this coin, combined with its modification into an object with differing function, and the presence of a separately cast silver rivet indicate that this object qualifies as Treasure under the requirements the Treasure Act.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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