ANGLO-SAXON, Archbishops of Canterbury. Æthelheard, with Offa of Mercia as overlord. 792/3-805. AR Penny (19mm, 1.30 g, 6h). Three-line type. Canterbury mint. Struck 796-797/8. VF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 1039.
Closing Date: May 19 2026 11:00 ET

British, Silver

Estimate: $ 1 000

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ANGLO-SAXON, Archbishops of Canterbury. Æthelheard, with Offa of Mercia as overlord. 792/3-805. AR Penny (19mm, 1.30 g, 6h). Three-line type. Canterbury mint. Struck 796-797/8. ΛEDIL/HEΛRD/ ΛRCEP in three lines / (triangle) m (triangle)/ + · ◊FFΛ/ ·: REX · in three lines. Chick 247b (same rev. die); SCBI 67 (BM), 747-8; North 229; SCBC 885. Find patina, wavy flan, small edge splits, edge chip. VF.

Ex Allan Williams Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 480, 11 November 2020), lot 868; Spink 211 (3 December 2011), lot 6.

In 792 Offa of Mercia increased the weight of the Penny following a similar reform to the Denier by Charlemagne in France. This superb coin was struck for Archbishop Aethelheard acknowledging Offa’s overlordship. Kent had been the first Anglo-Saxon kingdom to convert to Christianity and the bishop of Canterbury, the capital of Kent, gained a primacy in the early English church. This was recognized by the award of minting rights to Archbishops by successive monarchs.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Four – Lot 889-1124 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 19 May 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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