Offa Silver Penny 757-796AD Light Coinage Portrait

Offa Silver Penny 757-796AD Light Coinage Portrait
16mm, 1.05g

Offa was the son of Thingfrith and related to earlier Mercian rulers.
He became king of Mercia following a period of civil war after the assassination of Aethelbald, subsequently consolidating control of other territories; this apparent unification of England is interpreted by some as a quest for power. His coinage is artistically accomplished, as shown by this eaxample, and his wife Cynethryth is the only Saxon queen to be depicted on a coin.