ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Northumbria. Osberht. 849/50-867. Æ Styca (12mm, 1.02 g, 10h). Irregular issue(?). York mint; Uulfred, moneyer. ·: BOZBERH counterclockwise around central pellet / + VVLFRED counterclockwise around small cross. Pirie,Guide 33.50g/3.43a-b (for same obv./rev. dies with an irregular[?] issue of Osberht and a regular issue of Archbishop Wulfhere); North 191; SCBC 869. Brown-green patina. VF.
From the Sidney W. Harl & Kenneth W. Harl Collection, purchased from J. Linzalone, 2010.
Pirie notes that, by this period, “the distinction between unofficial work and the authorized coinage finally becomes blurred” (p. 66). This feature is particularly evident on the present coin, pairing an apparently irregular obverse with a regular reverse used for coins of Archbishop Wulfhere.
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