Summary

Silver coin; Denomination: Penny
Canterbury Mint
Coenwulf King of Mercia (796-821)
Moneyer: Diormad

Although issued in the name of Coenwulf King of Mercia, this coin was struck at the Canterbury mint in the Kingdom of Kent. Under Coenwulf's predecessor King Offa (757-796) the Kingdom of Kent had become a client or sub Kingdom of Mercia. Early in the reign of Coenwulf, Eadberht Praen claimed the throne of Kent and tried to throw off Mercian control. Coenwulf appealed to the Pope on the grounds that Eadberht had been a priest and therefore, under church law, had no claim to the Kingdom. The Pope agreed and ordered that Eadberht be removed for the sake of his soul. Coenwulf marched into Kent and captured Eadberht who was blinded and his hands removed. After this the Canterbury mint struck coins for both kingdoms. The mint name is not recorded on the coin but the coin designs and moniers names can be used to establish Canterbury as the source.

Obverse Description

A diademed bust of Coenwulf facing right, the bust extends to the edge of the coin; around, COENVVLF REX M

Reverse Description

At the centre a cross formed by curved arms open at the ends and with wedges in the angles; within and behind this a small cross pomee; around, +DIORMOD MONETA

Edge Description

Plain

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