The styca (pronounced[ˈstykɑ]; pl. stycas) was a small coin minted in pre-VikingNorthumbria, originally in base silver and subsequently in a copper alloy. Production began in the 790s and continued until the 850s, though the coin remained in circulation until the Viking conquest of Northumbria in 867.
Stycas were first minted in the reign of Æthelred I of Northumbria (790–796), replacing the earlier sceat which ceased production in c. 790.[2] They were initially made from a debased alloy of silver, and from c. 830 until c. 835 they were also minted in a copper alloy. Production switched over entirely to copper in c. 837 and lasted until c. 855. Production ceased at this time, though the coin remained in circulation until the Viking conquest of Northumbria in 867.[3] Stycas were unique to Northumbria; from the late eighth century onwards the other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms minted only silver pennies based on the Frankish denier.[4] The vast number of copper stycas which are known to exist indicates that production from the 830s onwards was both intensive and constant. The large quantity of stycas produced, combined with the fact that large numbers of stycas are clearly of unofficial creation, might suggest a reason as to why production was halted in the reign of Osberht of Northumbria.[3]
Designedit
With a few exceptions, the various issues of stycas share a common design standard. Typically the name of the issuing king (or archbishop) appears on one side surrounding a central motif, and the name of the moneyer who made the coin appears on the other side. Common central motifs include simple cruciform designs and rings of annulets.[5] Exceptions include those stycas made by the moneyer Leofdegn during the reign of Æthelred II of Northumbria. These stycas feature much more elaborate designs including complex central cruciform devices and one issue in particular features both a hound and a triquetra on the same side.[6]
Hoardsedit
Hoards that consist of stycas, or where stycas are part of the assemblage, include:
^Pirie, Elizabeth J. E. (Elizabeth Jean Elphinstone), 1932-2005. (1996). Coins of the Kingdom of Northumbria c.700-867 in the Yorkshire collections : the Yorkshire Museum, York, the University of Leeds, the City Museum, Leeds. Llanfyllin, Powys: Galata. ISBN0-9516671-4-9. OCLC 38338882.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Davies, Glyn (1 September 2010). History of Money. University of Wales Press. ISBN978-0-7083-2379-3.
Skingley, Philip, ed. (2014). Coins of England & the United Kingdom: Standard Catalogue of British Coins 2015. Spink & Sons Ltd. ISBN978-1-907427-43-5.
Cook, Barrie J.; Williams, Gareth; Archibald, Marion (2006). Coinage And History in the North Sea World, C. AD 500–1250: Essays in Honour of Marion Archibald. BRILL. ISBN90-04-14777-2.
January 01, 1970
styca, styca, pronounced, ˈstykɑ, stycas, small, coin, minted, viking, northumbria, originally, base, silver, subsequently, copper, alloy, production, began, 790s, continued, until, 850s, though, coin, remained, circulation, until, viking, conquest, northumbri. The styca pronounced ˈstykɑ pl stycas was a small coin minted in pre Viking Northumbria originally in base silver and subsequently in a copper alloy Production began in the 790s and continued until the 850s though the coin remained in circulation until the Viking conquest of Northumbria in 867 A styca of AEthelred II of Northumbria Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 3 Design 4 Hoards 5 See also 6 References 7 BibliographyEtymology editThe coin s name derives from Old English styċċe ˈstyttʃe meaning piece 1 History editStycas were first minted in the reign of AEthelred I of Northumbria 790 796 replacing the earlier sceat which ceased production in c 790 2 They were initially made from a debased alloy of silver and from c 830 until c 835 they were also minted in a copper alloy Production switched over entirely to copper in c 837 and lasted until c 855 Production ceased at this time though the coin remained in circulation until the Viking conquest of Northumbria in 867 3 Stycas were unique to Northumbria from the late eighth century onwards the other Anglo Saxon kingdoms minted only silver pennies based on the Frankish denier 4 The vast number of copper stycas which are known to exist indicates that production from the 830s onwards was both intensive and constant The large quantity of stycas produced combined with the fact that large numbers of stycas are clearly of unofficial creation might suggest a reason as to why production was halted in the reign of Osberht of Northumbria 3 Design editWith a few exceptions the various issues of stycas share a common design standard Typically the name of the issuing king or archbishop appears on one side surrounding a central motif and the name of the moneyer who made the coin appears on the other side Common central motifs include simple cruciform designs and rings of annulets 5 Exceptions include those stycas made by the moneyer Leofdegn during the reign of AEthelred II of Northumbria These stycas feature much more elaborate designs including complex central cruciform devices and one issue in particular features both a hound and a triquetra on the same side 6 Hoards editHoards that consist of stycas or where stycas are part of the assemblage include Hexham Hoard Kirkoswald Hoard St Leonard s Place hoard Talnotrie HoardSee also edit nbsp Money portal Elizabeth Pirie Wigmund archbishop of York References edit Stock botany Encyclopedia com Cook Williams and Archibald p 213 a b Cook Williams and Archibald p 214 Davies p 125 Spink p 101 Pirie Elizabeth J E Elizabeth Jean Elphinstone 1932 2005 1996 Coins of the Kingdom of Northumbria c 700 867 in the Yorkshire collections the Yorkshire Museum York the University of Leeds the City Museum Leeds Llanfyllin Powys Galata ISBN 0 9516671 4 9 OCLC 38338882 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link CS1 maint numeric names authors list link Spink pp 103 105Bibliography editDavies Glyn 1 September 2010 History of Money University of Wales Press ISBN 978 0 7083 2379 3 Skingley Philip ed 2014 Coins of England amp the United Kingdom Standard Catalogue of British Coins 2015 Spink amp Sons Ltd ISBN 978 1 907427 43 5 Cook Barrie J Williams Gareth Archibald Marion 2006 Coinage And History in the North Sea World C AD 500 1250 Essays in Honour of Marion Archibald BRILL ISBN 90 04 14777 2 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Styca amp oldid 1198595138, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
