Anglo Saxon coins from the Bath Mint

The Bath Mint produced more issues of coins than any other mint in England during the reign of Aethelred II (978-1016AD). The popularity of the mint did not diminish during the Saxon period, with every Saxon king until Harold II making use of it until the Norman invasion of 1066AD. It continued under the William I but one coin issue was minted by William II during his reign (1087-1100AD). The last known mention of the Bath Mint was in 1180, with Pope Alexander III issuing a Bull confirming to the Bishop of Bath all the possessions of the Church at Bath. The location of the Bath Mint is unknown. The earliest coin known to have been minted in Bath dates to the reign of Eadward the Elder (899-924AD). There are two examples but neither hold the name of the moneyer and these two coins are the only ones minted during this period that have the name of the mint stamped onto them. The coins of the Bath mint forged during the reign of Eadgar (959-975) are of particular interest to historians as his coronation took place at St Peter’s Church, site of the current Bath Abbey on May 11th 973. The importance of Bath during this period as an economically viable town was consolidated by the employment of at least five moneyers during Eadgar’s reign. One silver penny dated to the reign of Eadward the Martyr (975-978) has been attributed to the Bath Mint, but as yet there have been no more unearthed from this brief period. This coin is in the collection of the British Museum. The collection of 44 Saxon coins at the Roman Baths Museum begins with the reign of Aethelred II (979-1016) and ends with the reign of the last Saxon king Harold II (Jan-Oct 1066).