Series G. -

Anglo-Saxon England, Secondary Series (710-760), Sceat, Series G, classical diademed and draped bust right, almond-shaped eye, coiled diadem with fringe, ACI before, rev. beaded standard, central pellet-in-annulet, cross pommée in each corner, inner circle of pellets, flanked by cross pommée, 1.17g (SL 21-10; SCBI 69, 309 this coin; T&S pp. 267-74, 267-74; Gannon 48, 48, no. 170, 65, 174, 184, no. 18; Figs. 2.36, 5.21a; North 43; Spink 800). Extremely rare.

Images and selected text reproduced by kind permission of Spink and Son Ltd, London, auction 21000, The Tony Abramson Collection of Dark Age Coinage - Part I, March 18th 2021, lot #132.  Provenance: CNG Inventory (ref. 915724), May 2012 Nomos, FPL 5, Winter-Spring 2012, no. 88 CNG Auction 63, 21 May 2003, lot 1926.

The skilfully engraved portrait with inscription before, place this variety at the head of Series G. The legend is tantalisingly beyond our current understanding. However, there is a close affinity with the portraiture displayed in the above two lots. The type generally, together with elements of Series J, with the heavenward gaze of its almond-shaped eye and cross before, is reminiscent of the dream-vision of Constantine before the battle of Milvian Bridge.

A source of Quentovic, as Michael Metcalf speculated, is credible.