Obverse:
Ornamental M with pellets to either side,
CENVVLF across the centre field and REX in
lower field with pellets between each letter.
Reverse:
DI O LA with pellets between letters, within
arms of tribrach moline of three lines, the
centre one beaded.
History:
Only 10 coins of this type have been recorded,
and this is the fourth by the moneyer Diola.
The obverse inscription reads CENVVLF REX
M, Coenwulf King of Mercia. The coinage of
Coenwulf follows the broad silver penny format
established under Offa and his contemporaries.
Since the mints at Canterbury and in East
Anglia were under the control of Eadbert Praen
and Eadwald respectively, these earliest pennies
were produced by the London mint. Initially
coins were struck at London alone but soon
spreading to Canterbury after it was reconquered
from the rebels.
