Sale: CNG 75, Lot: 1392. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 23 May 2007.  Sold For $525. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANGLO-SAXON, Secondary Sceattas. Circa 710-725. AR Sceat (1.22 g, 4h). Series J (BIIIC), type 27 variety. Diademed head right within double border / Dove standing right on cross; annulets and trefoils flanking; all within double border. Beowulf 56 (this coin); Abramson B550 var. (triple border rev.); Metcalf 304; North -; SCBC -. EF, toned. Excellent metal.

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).