New Anglo-Saxon shilling type found in Norwich

A new type of coin that synthesizes Christian and Pagan iconography has been discovered by a metal detectorist near Norwich. Dating to between 640 to 660 A.D., the shilling (also known as thrymsa) is the oldest known Anglo-Saxon East Anglian coin.

The obverse features a man wearing a diadem, a rough copy of how Roman emperors were depicted on coins. His legs are crossed as if dancing a jig. In his left hand is a cross over three interlocking triangles, a device known as a valknut thought to represent Odin as king of the dead.

The reverse has a cross embedded in and linking up to a quatrefoil shape. There’s an inscription that is not actually words, just Latin-like characters made in imitation of Roman coinage. The coin was struck at a time when Christianity was beginning to

Metallurgical analysis found it is between 56% and 60% gold, which is double the gold content found in similar coins from the period. The relatively high purity and the diademed bust indicate this was a royal coinage. Numismatic expert Dr. Adrian Marsden from the Norfolk Historic Environment Service:

I think that this shilling does stand at the head of an East Anglian Royal coinage that quickly – as the kingdom became Christian – got rid of the valknut and retained the cross. The new coin straddles two eras, the Pagan and the Christian. In a way it encapsulates the Mound II burial at Sutton Hoo, with its incorporation of Pagan and Christian imagery.

Norwich Castle Museum hopes to acquire the coin for its collection.