RAMM acquires rare Anglo-Saxon coin marking birth of 'modern' Exeter

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) in Exeter has acquired one of the rarest and most historically significant coins in British history - an Anglo-Saxon silver penny minted in Exeter over 1,100 years ago. The acquisition marks a major milestone in the city’s cultural heritage and sheds new light on its early medieval past.

The silver penny was struck between 895 and 899 AD, during the reign of King Alfred the Great. It is the earliest known object to bear the name “Exeter” and one of only three known examples of its kind. The other two coins are housed in the British Museum. This newly acquired coin is now returning to the city of its origin after more than a century abroad.

Tom Cadbury, Assistant Curator at RAMM, commented:

“This little coin is an incredibly important piece of Exeter's history. It was made 1,130 years ago making it the earliest known use of the name 'Exeter'. Only three of these coins have ever been found and the museum has been aware of this one's existence since 1868. It's incredible that it's finally coming home.”

The back of the coin

The silver penny was minted by royal command and features the inscriptions AELFRED REX SAXONUM (“Alfred King of the Saxons”) on one side and EXA (“Exeter”) on the other. The coin marks the beginning of Exeter's transformation from a virtually abandoned Roman outpost into a flourishing city and strategic military hub.

During Alfred’s reign, Exeter was chosen alongside Winchester as a royal stronghold. The city walls were restored and a new street grid, distinct from its Roman predecessor, was laid out. By the year 1000, Exeter had grown to become one of the six most prosperous cities in England.

Councillor Bob Foale, Exeter City Council’s lead for Arts, Culture and Tourism, praised the acquisition:

“We’re delighted that this coin, evidence of Exeter’s important role in the history of the nation, has been acquired for the city. It is fascinating to compare the Exeter of Alfred the Great to the thriving and bustling city it has become today. We are grateful to the donors who supported the museum in this acquisition, and look forward to having the coin on display in the near future.”

The coin has a well-documented history. It was one of two Exeter pennies found in the famed Cuerdale Viking Silver Hoard near Preston in 1840 - a major discovery that included over 8,000 items. The third known example was found in 1958 in a hoard at Morley St Peter, Norfolk.

This particular coin was first recorded by Topsham numismatist Richard Sainthill in 1844. It has since passed through the hands of notable collectors including Hyman Montagu and Sir John Evans. Most recently, it was part of the Dr Irving Schneider Collection in the United States, where it had remained since 1989.

Its appearance at auction in Zurich this May presented RAMM with a rare opportunity to bring the piece back to Exeter. The auction was conducted by Numismatica Ars Classica in partnership with David Guest Numismatics and drew global interest due to the collection's prestige.

The museum's successful bid was supported by the Reynolds Chard Trust, established specifically to acquire Exeter silver, along with the Friends of RAMM and the CJ Cadbury Charitable Trust.

Now, with the coin returning to its birthplace, RAMM plans to display it publicly, allowing visitors to witness one of the most remarkable surviving artefacts of Exeter’s early identity.

For more information and updates on the coin’s display, visit: https://rammuseum.org.uk/