feorðing

Feorðing is an Old English word that refers to a coin or a unit of currency. Its precise value and appearance can be difficult to ascertain due to the limited surviving evidence and variations that likely existed across different Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and periods. However, it is generally understood to be a small denomination. The term itself is derived from the Old English word "feower," meaning "four," suggesting a possible connection to a system where four of these coins might equal a larger unit, though this is speculative.

The Anglo-Saxons had a complex monetary system that evolved over centuries. Feorðing would have been part of this system, used for everyday transactions, payments, and trade. Surviving archaeological finds of Anglo-Saxon coins can provide some insight, but direct references to the feorðing are scarce in historical texts. Understanding its exact worth requires careful study of numismatic evidence and comparative analyses with other known coin denominations of the era, such as the sceat and the penny. Its existence highlights the established economic practices of the Anglo-Saxon world.