File:Early Medieval Coin Penny of Aethelred (FindID 195441).jpg

?3 Fused pennies of Aethelred II (978-1016). Possible mistruck coin.

Description of find

Because the three coins are exactly aligned, all that is visible is one side of each of the two outer coins, with nothing visible of the middle coin apart from the edge. Both of the outer coins show the obverse of the Second Hand type of Ethelred II, (978-1016), issued in the 980s (precise dates are uncertain). The third coin is likely to be of the same type, although it could plausibly be another issue from just before or after the Second Hand type. With only the obverses visible, it is not possible to identify the mints and moneyers of he two outer coins, especially as both obverses are so badly damaged that it would be difficult if not impossible to match the dies with other examples. All three coins are slightly buckled, and one face is badly marked by striations, as if another coin or coins had at some point been fused to it, but had been levered off, although the patination does not suggest that this took place recently. Both sides have the standard inscription of ÆÐELRÆDREXANGLORVM, around a diademed right-facing bust, with a sceptre in front of the bust.

The combined weight of the three coins is 3.23 g.

Metal Analysis
As noted above, the coins are a little over 1,000 years old. The metal content of the coins has not been analysed, since sufficient previous work has been done to establish that coins of this type are normally well in excess of the threshold of 10% stipulated by the Treasure Act (1996). There is no means to trace the ownership of the hoard, and it is therefore my opinion that on all the key criteria, this represents a prima facie case of Treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act (1996).