Sale: CNG 75, Lot: 1419. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 23 May 2007.  Sold For $2100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANGLO-SAXON, Secondary Sceattas. Circa 720-740. AR Sceat (1.10 g, 12h). Series K, type 42a. Mint in east Kent. Diademed and mantled bust right, wreath knot behind head, holding cruciform plant / Lion (or hound?) left, head right, eating fruit of plant in background. Beowulf 60 (this coin); Abramson K190; Metcalf 311/313 (obv./rev.); North 101 var. (cross not plant on obv.); SCBC 794. EF, toned.

From the Beowulf Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 49 (17 March 1999), lot 2183.

The elaborate mantle on the busts of these Type 42 sceattas is reminiscent of the Roman trabea from the numerous Consular issues of the late Empire, as well as the Byzantine loros. However, the prototype may actually be a crossed-over dress of the late classical period, itself derived from early Persian attire, that was depicted in the dancing warriors scene on the Sutton Hoo helmet (Gannon pp. 58-59). The animal depicted on the reverse is debatable, but is now thought to represent a lion. Although there are many negative allegories relating to lions in early Christianity, in later times the lion became a symbol of Christ, as the Lion of Judah, and his Resurrection (Gannon, pp. 125-134).