A Masterpiece of Saxon Art

Sale: CNG 75, Lot: 1420. Estimate $3000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 23 May 2007.  Sold For $4250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANGLO-SAXON, Secondary Sceattas. Circa 720-740. AR Sceat (1.13 g, 6h). Series K, type 32a. Mint in east Kent. Diademed and draped bust right, wreath knot behind head, holding cross / Wolf-headed, coiled serpent right. Beowulf 61 (this coin); Abramson K400; Metcalf 307; North 89; SCBC 796. EF, toned. A masterpiece of Saxon art.

From the Beowulf Collection.

Coiled, serpent-like creatures were a common protective motif in pre-Christian artwork. This symbol was assimilated into Christianity as a representation of Christ’s Resurrection (Gannon, pp. 137-8).