MANCUS (formed of manu cusus), in antiquity, an Anglo-Saxon gold coin, equal in value to 24 solidi, or 30 pence; and in weight to 55 Troy grains. The first account of this coin that occurs in the history of our country, is about the close of the 8th century, in an embassy of Cenwulf king of Mercia to Leo III. requesting the restoration of the jurisdiction of the see of Canterbury: this embassy was enforced by a present of 120 mancusles. Ethelwulf also sent yearly to Rome 300 mancusles: and these coins are said to have continued in some form or other till towards the conclusion of the Saxon government. The heriots of the nobility are chiefly estimated by this standard in Canute's laws. It came originally from Italy, where it was called ducat; and is supposed to have been the same with the drachma or miliaresis current in the Byzantine empire.