These fascinating early coins from England constitute the earliest coinage found on the British Isles. The departure of the Romans sometime around 414 AD forced the inhabitants to create their own coinage. Sceatts are generally thought to be modeled after coinages found in the surrounding areas and of course based on the earlier coinage from the western Roman Empire. Most scholars believe that the Sceatt was merely a misinterpretation of the word for “weight”. Whatever the case, these coins provide a delightful look into a time between the departure of the Romans and the introduction of the Saxons. While archaeological finds and further research has provided more information on where types may have been created, there is little known under whom they were created (most believe that these coins were not royal but struck by independent princes). Most collectors take delight in their fantastical imagery and delightful designs. The influences of the late Romans (e.g. Byzantine), Celts can easily be noticed.