"Numismatist Simon Coupland describes the find as fascinating, unique and intriguing, stating, 'I don't know of another John the Baptist from the Carolingian period; it's bizarre.'"
"'If you look at who is pictured on portrait coins of the 9th Century in Western Europe it is the king, but not John, not Christ,' Coupland noted."
"'These imitations of gold solidus tend to be made by Scandinavians, who are not Christian at this point, so what are they doing depicting John the Baptist?'"
A 9th century coin pendant featuring John the Baptist was found near Dunton, Norfolk. It is an imitation of a Carolingian solidus, likely of Frisian origin. The obverse shows a bearded man inscribed IOAN, while the reverse features a cross and the inscription + BABTIS []T EVVAN. This coin, produced around the 860s or 870s, is unique as there were no Carolingian coins depicting John the Baptist. The pendant is undergoing a treasure declaration process, with hopes for acquisition by the Norwich Castle Museum.
Read at www.thehistoryblog.com
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