A silver penny of King Aethelstan. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery
A silver penny of King Aethelstan. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Silver Penny (1914/543-1)

A silver penny of King Aethelstan

This silver penny of King Aethelstan, who was King of England from 927-939, was minted in Derby by the moneyer Gadierd between 937-939. It is not known where it was found. Moneyers were people who were permitted to mint money on behalf of the king.

Minting coins was a way of controlling the means of exchange within a kingdom and which created a more easily administered standardized system of trade. Moreover, the coins themselves were often used as propaganda, portaying symbols and statements that gave off a desired message. The Vikings later used the minting of coins to legitimize their own rule.

Object Type

Coin

Date

937 — 939

Style

Ascribed Culture

Original/Reproduction

Original

Material

Collection

Viking Objects

Current Location

Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Keywords

Anglo-Saxon, coin, Currency, Derby, Derby_Museums, Derbyshire, Economy, moneyers, penny, silver, trade

Further information

You can see the original at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

Acknowledgements

(c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Related items

Silver Penny (1960/459-2)

More items

Cast Lead Weight (SWYOR-A48576)
Northumbrian Styca (LEIC-0D9D6F)
Anglo-Scandinavian Mount (NLM-491EBD)
Trefoil Brooch (LEIC-33DBDC)
Anglo-Scandinavian Strap-End (LEIC-6EDB41)
Borre Style Brooch (DENO-805B20)
Zoomorphic Mount (DENO-7E523C)
Buckle Frame (DENO-98937A)
Enamel Copper-Alloy Brooch (DENO-6C0D22)
Anglo-Scandinavian Silver Mount (SWYOR-0201A1)
Globe-Shaped Weight (PUBLIC-D94974)