Anglo-Saxon pagan coin with a “Valknut”, dated to the 7th century, pre-dating the Viking era and therefore disproving the claim that it was unknown in Britain prior to the Vikings.
It could be the oldest Anglo-Saxon coin ever found. Some are saying the figure wields a Christian cross over the Valknut, a pagan symbol, and that would seem to indicate a representation of Christian faith beating Paganism.
Alternatively, it is an expression of the religious pluralism of a transitionary dual faith period when both religions were practised by the English. The Valknut does seem much more prominent that the cross on that side, and the other side has a Christian cross which is sort of arranged in the shape of a Swastika, which was a symbol of the god Woden.
We know from Bede that a king who lived in East Anglia, where this coin was found, around the same time it was made, practised dual faith, keeping an idol of Jesus next to those of the English gods. So this seems plausible…
Looks familiar
