Sale: CNG 75, Lot: 1391. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 23 May 2007.  Sold For $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANGLO-SAXON, Secondary Sceattas. Circa 710-725. AR Sceat (1.13 g, 12h). Series J, type 85. Mint in Northumbria. Diademed head right; double border / Outline bird right on cross; annulets flanking. Beowulf 55 (this coin); Abramson J120 var. (quatrefoil on rev.); Metcalf 294 var. (same); North 126 var. (legends); SCBC 791. Superb EF, toned.

From the Beowulf Collection.

Regarding the reverse, there are multiple varieties of types depicting birds and crosses, all reflecting Christian iconography: the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, and the cross. The diverse array of prototypes, both from numismatics and elsewhere, account for the many variations in their style and presentation (Gannon, pp. 107-112).