Triton XVIII, Lot: 1696. Estimate $300. Sold for $800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANGLO-SAXON, Secondary Sceattas. Circa 715-720. AR Sceat (12mm, 1.19 g, 7h). Series N, type 41b. Mint in East Kent or lower Thames region. Two figures standing facing, each holding long cross pommée in outer hands, jointly holding another between themselves / Creature advancing right, head left. Abramson 52.30 var. (number of pellets on obv.); Beowulf 72 (this coin); Metcalf p. 463; SCBI 63 (BM), 585; North 98; SCBC 810. Good VF, toned, minor porosity.

From the Joseph R Lasser Collection for the benefit of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Ex Elsen FPL 249 (July-September 2009), no. 329; Beowulf Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 75, 23 May 2007), lot 1414; Finn FPL (Summer 1994), no. 26.

The obverse type has numerous possible prototypes in classical sources, both numismatic and non-numismatic. These diverse origins notwithstanding, there are common ideas enshrined in them that certainly were influential in the development of this type. The crosses around the figures serve the same apotropaic function as on the similar, single-figure type (see lot 1363, above), but the addition of a second figure with similar features implies concerted action among equals (Gannon, pp. 101-103). Backwards-looking animals such as that on the reverse of this coin are among the most enduring images in ancient Europe. In pre-Christian times, these creatures typically appeared as custodians of treasure. It is possible that they were assimilated in the Christian period as guardians of one’s soul (Gannon, pp. 149-150).