stycas) was a small coin minted in pre-Viking Northumbria, originally in base silver and subsequently in a copper alloy.
"[1] Stycas were first minted in the reign of Æthelred I of Northumbria (790–796), replacing the earlier sceat which ceased production in c.
[3] Stycas were unique to Northumbria; from the late eighth century onwards the other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms minted only silver pennies based on the Frankish denier.
Common central motifs include simple cruciform designs and rings of annulets.
[5] Exceptions include those stycas made by the moneyer Leofdegn during the reign of Æthelred II of Northumbria.