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Sceat Series BIII Var
| Issuer | Early Anglo-Saxon |
|---|---|
| Year | 680-710 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Reference(s) | Sp#777a, SCBI Abra#76 |
| Obverse description | Degraded facing bust depicted in a highly schematic, barbarous style characteristic of early Anglo-Saxon sceattas, occupying the central field. The head is rendered with a rounded pellet-bordered outline, with rudimentary facial features suggested by raised pellets and a broad trident-like projection above, possibly a stylised diadem or crown. Two annulets appear to the right of the bust, a diagnostic feature of the Series BIII type. The entire design is enclosed within a border of pellets, and the flan is irregular and slightly ragged at the edges. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse script | Latin (blundered) |
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| Additional information |
Series B sceattas emerged in the decades immediately following the collapse of the Frankish-influenced gold shilling coinage, as diminishing gold supplies forced a transition to lighter silver denominations across the North Sea trading zone. The BIII variety circulated primarily in the kingdoms of Kent and East Anglia, moving through the same emporia networks — Fordwich, Ipswich, Hamwic — that structured commerce before any royal mint monopoly existed. These were not state-issued coins in any modern administrative sense; production likely occurred at multiple uncontrolled sites simultaneously.
At 1.09g, this example sits toward the lighter end of the Series B weight range, consistent with later production as silver fineness and flan weight both declined across the 700s.