AN EXTREMELY rare 10th century coin - found on the Isle of Wight - could reach £7,000 at auction later this month.

The silver penny dates to the boy king Edward the Martyr, who ruled Saxon Britain and will help raise funds for the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal.

The penny was discovered in a ploughed field, in March 2018, by a 68-year-old retired council worker using a Minelab ETrac metal detector.

The coin is said to be in a ‘remarkable condition’. It features a fine portrait of the boy king wearing a diadem and facing left. It bears the phrase EDPEARD REX ANGLORX - Edward, King of the English. 

On the reverse, is a small cross pattee in the centre and AELSTAN M’O CANT - Aelfstan moneyer of Canterbury.  

Isle of Wight County Press:

Images: Dix Noonan Web

Edward ruled between 975-978 A.D. and was only 13 years old when he was crowned king, after the death of his father Eadgar. Edward was assassinated at the Saxon hall where Dorset’s Corfe Castle now stands, by supporters of his half brother Aethelred. 

The coin should fetch £5,000-£7,000 according to Dix Noonan Webb, the international coins, medals, banknotes and jewellery specialists.

The sale will take place online, on Wednesday 22nd April, at 10am.