The Frisian Sceatta, also known as the Frisian penny, was a coin that was used in the Frisian region during the Middle Ages. These small, silver coins were minted from the late 7th century until the 9th century and are considered an important part of Frisian history.
The name “sceatta” comes from the Old English word for “money,” which shows the close relationship between the Frisian and Anglo-Saxon cultures. The coins were used for both local and international trade, and their distribution shows that the Frisians had contact with other regions in Europe, including Scandinavia, England, and the Frankish Empire.
The Frisian Sceatta had a distinctive design that featured a variety of symbols and images, including animals, people, and geometric patterns. The designs were often quite intricate and may have had religious or symbolic significance.
One notable feature of the Frisian Sceatta is the use of the runic alphabet, which was the writing system used by the ancient Germanic peoples. This use of runes on coins is unique to the Frisian region and shows the importance of this writing system in Frisian culture.
The Frisian Sceatta played an important role in the economy of the Frisian region, and their use continued until the 9th century, when they were gradually replaced by larger, more standardized coins minted by the Frankish Empire. Despite this, the legacy of the Frisian Sceatta lives on as an important part of Frisian history and culture. Today, examples of the Frisian Sceatta can be found in museums and private collections around the world, providing a fascinating glimpse into the world of the Frisian people during the Middle Ages.