History of the penny - With Taunton Connections.

It is said that the earliest record of the penny by name in history is from 790 AD when the first British penny was minted. It was originally pressed in silver. Through its early British history the penny had varying weights and molds. It was first pressed by King Offa of Mercia bearing the name and image of his wife the queen Cynethryth. With the succession to King Ceolwulf, the penny was pressed at the mint of Canterbury. From there the penny underwent many changes. The names added to the penny changed based on current design, so giving us such names as the short cross penny and the long cross penny from 1180 to 1279 AD. The back of the penny carried the names of the moneyers who actually pressed the pennies until 1279 when they were replaced simply with the name of the mint itself. The front still carried the image and name of a prominent figure. Many attempts were made to introduce gold coins until 1351. The penny however stayed silver and began to be reduced in weight by thirds over time (twice) from its original weight.


Whilst reading through the Anglo Saxon Chronicles and The History of Taunton,   I can across a mention of Peter's Pence dating around 728.

 

Ina (691 - 728) died at the age of 37 in 728 and is said to have invented (in England) the penny, or pence.


A.D. 728 . This year Ina went to Rome, and there gave up the
ghost. He was succeeded in the kingdom of Wessex by Ethelhard
his relative, who held it fourteen years; but he fought this same
year with Oswald the etheling. Oswald was the son of Ethelbald,
Ethelbald of Cynebald, Cynebald of Cuthwin, Cuthwin of Ceawlin.
Taken from the Anglo Saxon Chronicles

I guess all the school history lessons teaching us that the Romans invented money should have explained they invented PAPER money!