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Offa, King of Mercia

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- subject matching 'Sculpture'
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Offa, King of Mercia

by Unknown artist
silver penny, circa 796
5/8 in. (16 mm) diameter
Given by Richard Cyril Lockett in memory of the late Richard Cyril Lockett, 1960
Primary Collection
NPG 4152

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  • Unknown artist, Artist. Artist or producer associated with 6577 portraits.

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In the Anglo-Saxon era, portraits on coins were intended as emblems of kingship rather than individual likenesses. However, they demonstrate how leaders could reinforce their claim to rule by disseminating their own image on objects that were used and exchanged on a daily basis. The ruler’s portrait also provided confidence in the legitimacy of the coinage.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Cannadine, Sir David (Introduction); Cooper, Tarnya; Stewart, Louise; MacGibbon, Rab; Cox, Paul; Peltz, Lucy; Moorhouse, Paul; Broadley, Rosie; Jascot-Gill, Sabina, Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits, 2018 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, USA, 7 October 2018 -3 February 2019. Bendigo Art Gallery, Australia, 16 March - 14 July 2019.), p. 36
  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 467

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