Summary

Silver coin; Denomination, Penny
Canterbury Mint (possible)
King Aethelberth (858-865/6) of Wessex
Moneyer: Heremund

Aethelberht was appointed under-king of Kent when his father Aethelwulf went to Rome in 955. His brother, Aethelbald was left in charge of Wessex during their father's absence and failed in an attempt to retain power on the king's return. On the death of Aethelwulf, Aethelberht became king of Wessex but, unlike his father, did not appoint an under-king for Kent. As such he was the first to directly controlled all of southern England.

Aethelberht issued coins for his enlarged kingdom without any mark to indicate what mint had struck them. However some Canterbury moneyer's names on the new coins are the same as those found on the coins of the last issue of Aethelwulf. This indicates that the Canterbury mint remained active under Aethelberht and suggests that its coins were now current throughout the enlarged kingdom.

Aethelberht was succeeded as King of Wessex and Kent by his brother Aethelred in 865. During his reign Danish attacks on England increased, Aethelred was killed fighting them and their youngest brother, Alfred became king.

Obverse Description

A crude bust facing right, the base extends to the edge of the coin; around, AEDELBEAR(HT)REX the (HT) in monogram.

Reverse Description

Within a voided cross, +(HE)REMV ND MO; in angles, N E T A; the (HE) in monogram form; thus, HEREMVND MONETA

Edge Description

Plain

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