Penny of Cynethryth
757–796 ・ silver ・ 8th century ・ Kingdom of Mercia
A penny cut with the name of Cynethryth, queen to King Offa. In medieval western Europe, coinage bearing a queen's name is exceedingly unusual. This small silver piece carries down to us the high engraving that Offa's mint took pride in, and the confidence of Mercian kingship. To have one's name cut into money is to stand on the side of power — and in eighth-century England a queen had joined that company.