Kings of Mercia – Offa Silver Penny 757-796AD Light Coinage

Kings of Mercia – Offa Silver Penny 757-796AD Light Coinage, moneyer Ethelnoth
17mm, 1.22g
A nice example with central strike and good metal/detail, often coins of king Offa are in much poorer condition.

Provenance – Found at Hardwick, Aylesbury, EMC 2013.0368

Offa was the son of Thingfrith and related to earlier Mercian rulers.
He became king of Mercia following a period of civil war after the assassination of Aethelbald, subsequently consolidating control of other territories; this apparent unification of England is interpreted by some as a quest for power. His coinage is artistically accomplished and his wife Cynethryth is the only Saxon queen to be depicted on a coin.