Add to albumThis silver coin was found in a hoard containing over 360 Anglo-Saxon coins, a finger ring bezel, a silver ingot and a gold rod fragment buried in Iona Abbey between 986 and 990. The coin was minted sometime between 959 and 975.
The coin was minted for the Anglo-Saxon king Eadgar at Chester.
No coins were minted in Scotland until the 12th century. After the Romans left Scotland, purchases were made by barter or by weighing silver, and to a lesser extent gold, on balances. Any silver was acceptable, including coins from foreign countries.
Record details
To search on related items, click any underlined text below.
- Online ID: 000-100-081-889-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland H.C19044
- Date: 959 - 975
Coin minted between 959 and 975, buried between 986 and 990
- Material: Silver; slight to moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross EADGAR RE; small cross in centre / Rev. MER / OL cross EO / TINM; wedge attached to back of E; N reversed; rosette of pellets above and below
Coin Type: BMC ii(b); CTCE HR3 Chester (no 186)
Coin, penny
- Dimensions: 22.00 mm D / Die Axis: 9.0
- What: Coin Type: BMC ii(b); CTCE HR3 Chester (no 186)
Coin, penny
- Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
- Who: Eadgar
Iona Hoard, 1950
Maertin (Maker)
- Where: England
England, Cheshire, Chester
Scotland, Argyll, Iona, Iona Abbey
- Event:
- Description: Silver penny of Eadgar, minted by Maertin at Chester, 959 - 975
- References:
- Metcalf, D.M. The monetary significance of Scottish Viking-age coin hoards, with a short commentary. In: Graham-Campbell, James. The Viking-age gold and silver of Scotland (AD 850-1100). Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland, 1995, pp 16-25.
- Stevenson, Robert B.K. Sylloge of Coins of the British Isles. National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland. Part I. Anglo-Saxon coins (with associated foreign coins). London: British Academy, 1966, no. 634.
- Translations:
- Related Records: