Sceat Series BIII Var

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.