An ultra rare King Alfred the Great coin has returned to Britain after being bought from a US collection.
The Anglo-Saxon coin is one of only three known to exist.
The silver penny was made in Exeter, Devon, more than 1,100 years ago.
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One side of the coin reads ‘Aelfred Rex Saxonum’ – meaning Alfred King of the Saxons.
The other reads “EXA”, meaning Exeter.
The inscription is believed to be the earliest known use of the city’s name.
It was discovered in the Cuerdale Viking Silver Hoard near Preston, Lancs, in 1840.
The coin had been in the Dr Irving Schneider Collection in America since 1989, but it came up for auction in Zurich in May, as reported by What’s The Jam.
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It was bought by the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, in Exeter.
Only two other examples of the coin are known to exist, and both are in the British Museum.
RAMM’s assistant curator Tom Cadbury said: “This little coin is an incredibly important piece of Exeter’s history.
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“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 coin marks a point in time in which Alfred identified Exeter as one of the headquarters from which he would strengthen his rule as King.
Alfred’s confidence in Exeter was a turning point in the city’s fortunes after it was abandoned in Roman times.
The city walls were repaired and a new street grid, different from the Roman one, was laid out.
The city grew rapidly.
By the year 1000, it was about the sixth most prosperous city in Britain.
Exeter City Council lead for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Councillor Bob Foale said: “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 Dr Irving Schneider auction had interest from collectors all around the world.
The coin was bought for an undisclosed sum.
