ANGLO-SAXON, Anglo-Viking (Hiberno-Norse Northumbria). Ragnald. Circa 919-920/1. AR Penny (19mm, 1.10 g, 2h). York mint. + RΛCIITI, open hand / + EIORACII, crude Karolus monogram. EMC 2002.0298 (this coin, since chipped); Blunt & Stewart 5 = SCBI 4 (Copenhagen), 624 (same rev. die); BMC 1084 var. (legends); North 531; SCBC 1010. Find patina, chipped. VF. Extremely rare – only three in CoinArchives, all chipped.
From the Sidney W. Harl & Kenneth W. Harl Collection, purchased from J. Linzalone, November 2009. Found in Lincolnshire, 2002.
Between 919 and 954, the pagan Hiberno-Norse Kings attempted to forge a kingdom that straddled the Irish Sea, uniting Dublin and York. These Norwegians minted extraordinary pennies depicting pagan symbols, including the sword of Odin and Hammer of Thor (lot 1037), the raven of Odin (lot 1038), struck by Analf Guthfrithsson (Old Norse Olaf Guthfrithson), and the triquetra banner (lot 1039) struck by Anlaf Curaran Sithricsson (Old Norse Olaf Kvaran Sigtryggson).
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