When annualized, the moneyer-productivity of Osberht and the three archbishops appears paltry. As all four enjoyed longevity, averaging their moneyers’ output according to tenure may not be meaningful. One can assume that the attributable production took place reasonably efficiently over a relatively short period or was sporadic. Osberht employed six moneyers but none of the archbishops more than four. In Osberht’s case, the emphasis here is on ‘attributable production’ as most of the blundered stycas were probably minted during his reign, so the picture is distorted. In view of Eanred’s silver penny (see above) one may question the date of Osberht’s accession and the disruption of his rival Ælle.

In contrast to the gradual debasement (Metcalf and Northover, 1987, 187-233), it was during Osberht’s reign (and presumably Wulfhere’s tenure) that the proportion of tin increased in relation to zinc resulting in a bronze styca replacing the previous brass coin. The predominance of brass includes the work of three prolific moneyers, Monne (17.6 per cent), Eardwulf (13.2 per cent) and Forthred (12.3 per cent), accounting for 43.1 per cent of the ninth century database (and half of the brass). Three factors - the dominance of just three moneyers, the special motif stycas of Leothegn for Æthelred II and the improvement in alloy to bronze - signify a high potential for control, in production and design, in contrast to the previous disparagement of the styca coinage.