Mark Blackburn (numismatist)

Mark Blackburn (1953-2011) was a British numismatist specializing in the coinage of Anglo-Saxon England, the Viking Age, and medieval Europe. He made significant contributions to the understanding of the monetary history of these periods through his extensive research, publications, and editorial work.

Blackburn held a prominent position at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, where he served as Keeper of Coins and Medals. His work at the museum involved the management, curation, and study of a world-renowned collection of coins and related artifacts. He also lectured and taught at the University of Cambridge.

His research focused on the chronology, typology, and metrology of Anglo-Saxon and Viking-Age coinage. He examined the distribution and context of coin finds, providing valuable insights into trade, economic activity, and political power in early medieval Europe. Blackburn also published extensively on aspects of Carolingian and other contemporary continental coinages relevant to the study of the British Isles.

Blackburn authored and co-authored numerous books, articles, and conference papers, and was a respected editor of scholarly volumes. Key publications include works on the coinage of the Danelaw, the Viking impact on coinage, and the Sceattas of Anglo-Saxon England. He was actively involved in numismatic societies and organisations, promoting research and scholarship in the field. His contributions continue to influence numismatic research and understanding of early medieval monetary history.