Ethelstan, 870 to 890.
After the death of St. Eadmund, Guthrum, a Dane, was placed upon the throne, and, having
afterwards been converted to Christianity, was baptized in 878 by the name of Ethelstan. His coins are
all pennies, and are rare; as they all bear the symbol of Christianity and the new name which he
assumed at his baptism, they must have been struck after this year. His name is spelt Ethilstan and
Ethelstan, and generally occurs upon his coins without any title, but sometimes with Re or Rex,
sometimes with only l or the saxon P, but whether these letters have any intended meaning
is uncertain. On one coin which is very rare (98) Rud. ix. 8. REX ANG appears on the reverse, instead of
the moneyer's name. On another, Rud. ix. 5, his name reads backwards; and on another his name
occurs on both sides. Twelve names of his moneyers are known, but no place of mintage is
mentioned. The average weight of his coins at present is about 20 gr. The types of his coins are,
- The letter A. Rev. cross with a pellet in each angle, Rud. ix. 2, 3, 4, 5. MB. 3.
- Rev. an annulet inclosing a pellet, (96), Rud. ix. 1. MB. 2.
- Rev. cross potent upon another cross, f. 6. MB. 1.
- Rev. the Saxon M (98) Rud. ix. 7. MB. 1.
- A cross potent on each side, f. 8. MB. 1.
- A similar cross with a pellet in each angle, (97), Rud. ix. 9. MB. 2.
- Same with a wedge in each angle, Rud. ix. 10. MB. 1
Combe, in a MS list, mentions a reverse of MON MONETA in three lines, but does not state in what
cabinet, and it is not now known. TVDVPINE and EDILHELM, moneyers not in Ruding, occur on coins in
Mr Cuff's collection.
One king only after Ethelstan governed East Anglia as a separate kingdom, he was Eohric and reigned
fourteen years, when he was expelled by his subjects, and his dominions added to those of Eadward
the elder. No coins of his are known.
East Angles - Beorhtric and Eadmund |
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Northumberland - Ecgfrith
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