Triton XIX, Lot: 868. Estimate $2500. Sold for $2000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Mercia. Offa. 757-796. AR Penny (17mm, 1.24 g, 6h). Light coinage, non-portrait type. London mint; Ealmund, moneyer. Struck circa 779-792/3. ◊ F ([Rx] reversed) A in angles of lozenge cross fleury, small cross and pellets in lozenge / ALH MUN d in three lines divided by beaded bar with fleury ends; cross above. Chick 39h (this coin); SCBI 2 (Hunterian), 317; BMC 25; North 282; SCBC 904. Good VF, toned, minor edge loss. Very rare.

From the Dr. Andrew Wayne Collection, purchased from A. H. Baldwin, 1 October 2007. Found Chirton, Wiltshire by 2006 (PAS WILT-31A183).

This charming type was closely copied on a very rare issue of deniers struck for Charlemagne in Lucca (CNI XI, 12), an important stop on the route for English pilgrims travelling to Rome. See C. E. Blunt, ‘Four Italian Coins Imitating Anglo-Saxon Types’ BNJ XXV (1948)