Coinage in the
Northumbrian Landscape and Economy, c.575–c.867
Tony
Abramson
Reviews
‘The
data is detailed and comprehensive and its interpretation has the
benefit of the author’s expert knowledge of the crucial numismatic
material. … The sheer depth and breadth of the chronological and
geographical analysis of relevant Northumbrian finds … provides a
unique perspective on the role of money in the community at that
time.’
Dr Stewart Lyon,
Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
‘Abramson’s
project offers a combination of scope and detail that is not easily
paralleled in existing literature. … As a significant and thorough
analysis of monetary production and circulation in the north of
England, [it] represents a significant contribution to knowledge.’
Dr Rory Naismith,
King’s College London
This book
presents the author’s digitization of Pirie’s substantial yet
flawed corpus of 9th-century Northumbrian ‘stycas’. This
database, enhanced by data from elsewhere, is compared by location
with the artefactual database known as VASLE (created at the
University of York, 2008) to demonstrate that the co-occurrence of
coins and portable artefacts defines monetary evolution in
Northumbria. Additionally, the author presents a new periodization
and reveals the previously disparaged gold shillings of York to have
been issued by Bishop Paulinus, a disruptive finding chronologically,
with wider consequences. Northumbria benefited increasingly, both
monetarily and fiscally, as the face value of coins fell. Other
conclusions include the idea that Northumbrian coin production was
erratic; that the Yorkshire Wolds were more highly monetized than the
surrounding lowlands, indicating a more enterprising culture; that
styca
hoards represent episcopal expropriations; and that there were
significant changes in settlement and economy in the central
lowlands. This work demonstrates that monetization reflected northern
independence, innovation and enterprise.
BAR No: B641
|
RSP: £49 /
€73.50 / US$98
|
ISBN:
9781407316536
|
Language:
English
|
229 pages,
Illustrated throughout in colour and black and white. 4 tables, 161
figures, 13 graphs, 9 maps, 23 illustrations (10 plates and 13
individual illustrations). With additional information online
(databases and datasets).
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