CNG 97, Lot: 978. Estimate $1500. Sold for $2100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Mercia. Offa. 757-796. AR Penny (19mm, 1.31 g, 12h). Heavy coinage. Mint in East Anglia; Wihtræd, moneyer. Struck circa 792/3-796. Mercian M flanked by trefoils || + OFFA || (trefoil) REX in three lines, with the middle contained in pelleted rectangular border / (inverted U)I HT RE (retrograde d) on the limbs of saltire Celtic cross with four pellets in each angle and double lozenge at center containing pellet. Chick 254a = EMC 2000.0056 (this coin, illustrated in Chick); SCBI 20 (Mack), 574 (same obv. die); BMC –; North 338; SCBC 908. VF, toned, minor edge loss, some porosity. Rare.

From the Collection of an Underwriter. Ex Rasmussen FPL 20 (Winter 2010/11), no. 3; Spink Numismatic Circular (June 2000), no. 2295. Found in a fox’s earth at Rochford, Essex, June 1993.