Sceatta

(Pronounced shatter) A silver coin struck when the Anglo-Saxons reintroduced currency into England in 7th century. The earliest identifiable ones are of Eorpwald of East Anglia (625-7) and Penda of Mercia (625-54). Our penny may owe its name to the latter. With this change of name it remained the standard coin from the reforms of Offa of Mercia (757-96) until the 12th century. Sceattas have been found in a metal-detecting survey near Bolebec Castle in Whitchurch and in excavation at Walton Road Stores.