196 



numismatists were comparatively few in number, but our 

 knowledge of its various types has been greatly extended since 

 the commencement of the present century by the disinterment 

 of large hoards which had been concealed by our Saxon 

 ancestors in several places within the limits of the antient 

 kingdom of Northumbria.^ 



Formerly, no stycas were known to collectors, of more antient 

 date than those of Eanred, whose reign as king of Northumbria 

 commenced in the early part of the ninth century.^ We now 

 possess some specimens of a considerably earlier period. In the 

 year 1813, a small number were found in the chapel yard of 

 He worth ^ in the county of Durham, inscribed with the name 

 of Ecgfrith,^ who reigned in Northumbria from the year 670 to 

 the year 685 : and one solitary example is known of the stycas 

 coined by his immediate successor, Aldfrid.^ 



After the death of Aldfrid in the year 705, a long chasm 

 occurs in the history of the Styca, Of about fourteen succes- 

 sive monarchs of Northumbria, whose reigns occupied nearly 

 the whole of the eighth century, (705 — 794), not a single coin 

 of that denomination has hitherto being brought to light. But 

 of the coins of the following century, the recent finds have 



* The Saxo-Northumbriaii territory, it is supposed, included all that part of 

 Britain which, lies between the Tweed and the Southern borders of the present 

 counties of York and Lancaster. 



2 Several Stycas of Eanred, Ethelred, and Osbercht were found in the year 1696 

 on Elshaw or AUcey Hill, a large tumulus not far from the cathedral of Eipon, 

 specimens of which were in Thoresby's collection. Due. Leod. p. 343. Some of 

 Eanred and Ethelred have been discovered recently near the same spot. Archaelog. 

 Journal, Vol. III. p. 73. 



3 Heworth is in the parish of Jarrow (near Gateshead), the chtirch of which was 

 foimded by Ecgfrid, A.D. 685. Surtees's Durham, Vol. II. p. 67. 



* Obv. + EcGFRiTH Hex. Eev. An irradiated cross with the word lvx, 

 which " clearly enough points out the glorious light which the religion of the cross 

 is calculated to throw upon the world." See an account of a Saxon coin of Ecgfrith 

 king of Northumberland, by the Rev. John Hodgson. Archoeologia ..^liana, Vol. I. 

 p. 125. Mr. Surtees doubts both the device and the legend of the reverse. History 

 of Durham, II. 83. This is the oldest known coin of the kingdom of Northumbria. 

 Hawkins, p. 38. 



* Obv. + Alfridus. Rev. A rude representation of a four footed animal, 

 but no letters. Ibid. 



