Archaeologists in Scotland recently uncovered an Anglo-Saxon coin dating back 1,000 years — minted under a king known as "the Unready."The coin was unearthed during an excavation in Nesting, a coastal community in Scotland's eastern Shetland Islands, according to Jam Press.Pictures show a thick, greenish-brown patina covering its surface, though some of the original markings remain visible.TEEN STUMBLES ON MYSTERIOUS COIN FROM LEGENDARY CITY, PUZZLING ARCHAEOLOGISTS OVER ITS JOURNEYThe excavation was originally conducted to investigate prehistoric structures threatened by coastal erosion, according to Archaeology Shetland.The archaeological investigation included an examination of nearby Iron Age structures.Archaeologists in Scotland uncovered a rare 1,000-year-old Anglo-Saxon coin during an excavation in Nesting, a coastal community in the Shetland Islands.A thick, greenish-brown patina coves the coin's surface.
(Jam Press/Archaeology Shetland/Valerie Ward/Dr Elinor Graham)The artifact was minted between 991 and 997 A.D., Jam Press noted.The coin's face depicts King Ethelred the Unready, who ruled England from 978 to 1013 A.D.DISCOVERY BENEATH SOCCER FIELD REVEALS MASSIVE MEDIEVAL CONVENT LOST FOR CENTURIESEthelred, best known for his failed attempts to fend off Viking invasions, was eventually driven from the throne by Danish king Swein Forkbeard.The ancient coin, minted between 991 and 997 A.D., depicts King Ethelred the Unready, a depiction of whom is seen at left.(Hulton Archive/Getty Images; Jam Press/Archaeology Shetland/Valerie Ward/Dr Elinor Graham)He regained power in 1014 and ruled until his death in 1016 — making him the longest-reigning Anglo-Saxon monarch.Elinor Graham, an archaeologist from the University of Aberdeen, was on vacation in Shetland when she participated in the excavation, according to Jam Press.MAN SEARCHING WITH METAL DETECTOR UNEARTHS MASSIVE VIKING AGE FORTUNE, SHATTERING RECORDS"This is exactly how I wanted to spend my holiday,...