The Severn Stoke Saxon Coin Hoard

In 1996 a hoard of 18 silver Saxon pennies were found near Severn Stoke, Worcestershire.In 2001 a further coin from the hoard was found in the same area. Twelve of the coins (of which 9 are shown below) were struck for King Burgred of West Mercia (reigned 852-874.) The other coins were struck for kings of Wessex - Aethelwulf, Aethelberht and Aethelred l. It was Burgred who gave the land at Hartlebury Castle, now home to Worcestershire County Museum, to the Bishops of Worcester in 854 AD.The hoard was probably buried in 868 AD.Although there is no evidence to suggest why the coins were concealed, and it is not generally believed there was a Viking army raiding this deeply into Mercia, it may be a sign of this part of Worcestershire being concerned about possible Viking incursions.
The coins are shown here with their obverse side and their reverse side (i.e.'Heads' and 'Tails'.) The obverse shows an image of the king, the reverse the moneyer's mark.