British Iron Age Coins, Ancient Coins, and Antiquities

Anglo-Saxon, bronze amulet figure of Frey, 7th century, 52mm x 11mm, moulded in the round, the male figure has a large bearded oval face and wears a hood which is centrally parted and tapers to the back of the neck; three small inlaid gold discs are positioned each side of the head, while two more are inserted as eyes which are set closely together; the long nose and slit mouth are shallow features; the body is narrow with his arms folded across his midriff, while the legs are short with a penis showing. Fine with a green patina and slightly uneven surface £1,000-£1,200

found near Friston (Suffolk) in 2006 (PAS SF-01ACA7)

This figure belongs to a small group of six in total, all found at sites along the east coast of England, representing four males and two females. The British Museum has a silver-gilt example with a loop at the top (2001, 0902.1). Frey was an Anglo-Saxon deity of Germanic origin representing fertility, and called Freyr in Norse mythology.