The Crondall Hoard

The Crondall Hoard was found in 1828 in a field in Crondall, England. Anglo-Saxons began striking coins in what was to become England around 600 CE. Early coins consisted almost entirely of the small gold coins known as 'thrymsas', which were struck in imitation of the Merovingian tremissis. Fewer than 400 thrymsas are known, and 73 of these came from the Crondall Hoard.

The Hoard dates to no earlier than about 620 and no later than about 650.

Circa 620-635. AV Thrymsa. Kent and Essex, Eadbald (616-640). Obverse: Diademed, draped bust right; trident cross. Reverse: Latin cross on a globe within a pelleted inner circle.

The 73 thrymsas show little sign of circulation, indicating that coin production was limited. The most important Crondall coin is the Eadbald thrymsa. It is the earliest known coin to name an English king; 50 years would pass before another coin naming an English king would appear. The Crondall Hoard contained one example.

Twenty-one of the 73 thrymsas in the Hoard are of the “Witmen Monita” type.

The extreme rarity of Crondall Type coins makes them very pricey for collectors. Most reside in museums.