Archaeologists have discovered 20 Anglo-Saxon coins from the 10th century in Rome — the find confirms that immigrants from England had special permission from the Pope to pay with their own money, reports infohub.kz.
The artifacts were found near the Vatican under the garden of the Palazzo della Rovere. Among them are 19 silver pennies and one halfpenny, minted during the reign of King Edward the Elder and his grandsons. The coins were not hidden as a hoard but lay separately or in small groups. According to scholars from the University of Cambridge, they were lost by craftsmen and buyers at the local market.
It was previously believed that the Pope strictly forbade the use of foreign currency within the city. However, the British quarter Schola Saxonum became an exception to the rules. Along with English money, archaeologists also discovered a papal coin. This proves that both currencies circulated in the area simultaneously.
In addition to the money, scientists noticed traces of leather, bone, and metal working. Hundreds of people from England lived in the area, creating a full-fledged trade and craft center. The right to use their native coins right next to the center of the Catholic world emphasized their special status and close connection with the papacy.