Series R Sceatta Research

R6 “ES” Runic Combination on Obverse

Only limited research can be carried out on the R6 type as only two examples were previously known! The EMC (Early Medieval Corpus) at the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge showed (prior to this find) two examples, EMC 1977.0042 and EMC 1993.9407.

The “9407” coin is in the Ashmolean Museum Oxford and is very similar to the recently found R6. The recent find, in June of this year, is registered on the EMC as EMC/SCBI 2026.0174. The strike has a very similar configuration to “1993.9407”, is it a Die Match?

The obverse of “1977.0042” does not have particularly clearly defined runes and the obverse is not at all similar to most of the other R series coins. I am unsure if it is an R6, maybe a “Contemporary Copy”?

I have been given permission to use the image on this website by Mr Tom Lovett, my thanks, as a numismatist, to the Detectorist and “Permission” owner for registering the find enabling research to be facilitated for future scholars.

                  R6 EMC 2026.0174.Obverse                           R6 EMC 2026.0174 Reverse

Image of EMC/SCBI 2026.0174 by kind permission of Mr Tom Lovett

The Runes are read anti-clockwise, read from the top downwards. The "E" is pointing out-wards (just above the nose) and looks like an upper case "M". Below it is the "S". Both runes are "Pommee", ending in a pellet. There is a triangle of pellets below the "S" and another triangle below the ear behind the left facing bust. Two pellets forming the lips are belwo the nose. 

Some "R" series Types have a crown above the head, there is a possible one in this coin above the "forehead" line of pellets. There is also a cheek bulge below the eye in front of the ear, this is also typical of many R series types. There are also some pellets behind and below the ear.

As with other R series types I have shown the Reverse with the "L's" above the central annulet, the two angled lines are below. The central annulet has a small pellet within. The angled lines have a single pellet. Crosses can often be seen outside the four sides of the beaded standard, two crosses can be seen in the picture of 1993.9407 in the EMC database (top & R side), this coin only has one at the top.