LONDON, ENGLAND.-Culture Minister David Lammy has placed a temporary export bar on a gold coin, issued during the reign of Coenwulf, king of Mercia (796-821). This will provide a last chance to raise the money to keep the coin in the United Kingdom.

The Minister's ruling follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art. The Committee found that the coin was so closely connected with our history and national life that its departure would be a misfortune; that it was of outstanding aesthetic importance; and that it was of outstanding significance for the study of numismatics, monetary history, royal government and the history of London, where it was produced. The Committee also awarded a starred rating to the coin, meaning that every possible effort should be made to raise enough money to keep it in the country.

The coin is one of the most stunning of all known Anglo-Saxon coins and was discovered in 2001. It belongs to an excessively rare category of coinage, is of very fine quality and in an exceptional state of preservation, and has a striking image of Coenwulf, with inscriptions in elegant lettering. It weighs 4.33g and measures 20mm in diameter.

The deferral will enable purchase offers to be made at the following agreed fair market price:

A gold coin from the reign of Coenwulf, king of Mercia, deferred at the recommended price of £357,832 (excluding VAT), until after 2nd October 2005 with the possibility of an extension until after 2nd February 2006 if there is a serious intention to raise funds with a view to making an offer to purchase.
Anyone interested in making an offer to purchase the coin should contact the owner's agent through:

The Secretary
The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council,
83 Victoria Street,
London,
SW1H 0HW.