The East Anglian kingdom incorporated the modern counties of Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. Although a single 'line' of kings is mentioned in the early sources, it is clear that three or four families contended for the royal title. Perhaps the most famous of the East Anglian kings is Rædwald, the most likely candidate for having been buried in Mound 1 at Sutton Hoo, with his son, Rægenehere, in the nearby Mound 17. Coinage from East Anglia is not common until the 8th century with the following issuances known: Beonna (758 AD) (sceattas only); Æthelberht Lul (792 - 794 AD); Eadwald (796 AD); Æthelstan I (825 - 840 AD); Æthelweard (850 AD); Eadmund (855 - 870 AD).

Eadwald was king of East Anglia c. 796-798. Eadwald may have striven for independence from the dominance of the neighbouring kingdom of Mercia, but Ecgferth, the Mercian king, was too powerful and too intractable for Eadwald's plans to reach fruition. After Ecgferth's death and the turmoil of Mercian succession, the East Anglian kingdom partially severed its Mercian ties but was never able to acheive full independence, and with the accession of Coenwulf to the Mercian throne, Eadwald's short reign ended. The best evidence for the king lies in the admittedly scant coin record, since the documentary sources such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle know nothing of him.

In 825 AD the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that the 'king of the East Angles' sought the protection of Ecgberht, the king of the West Saxons. This marks a turning-point in East Anglian political aspirations, since the East Angles had for more than a century been dominated by the Mercians, an Anglian people. Relations with Mercia were always difficult, partly due to the reputation Mercian kings enjoyed for beligerence. It is possible that the several types of coins issued by Æthelstan I represent this re-alignment with Wessex against Mercia, since Ecgberht of Wessex is believed to have had a son of this name.

Evidence for King Æthelweard is more profuse in the numismatic than the documentary sources. There is no evidence to suggest that he ruled as a subregulus of either Mercia or Wessex, and East Anglia in his day was one of the four more powerful Anglo-Saxon states. His reign is supposed to have begun around 840 AD although this may be several years too early. His death is supposed to have occurred in the autumn or early winter of 854 AD. His son, Eadmund, succeeded him as the last East Anglian king, cruelly shot with arrows and beheaded by the Danes. Eadmund's death was depicted as Christian defiance of pagan persecution, and he became the first patron saint of England.