ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Wessex. Æthelred I. 865/6-871. AR Penny (20mm, 1.07 g, 4h). Lunettes type. Canterbury mint; Leofing, moneyer. Struck circa 867-871. + ΛEÐELRED REX, diademed and draped bust right / LIΛBI(NC) across central field; MON ETΛ in lunettes above and below. Lyons & MacKay, Group 2, Ae2.83 (dies B/b; this coin); SCBI 67 (BM), 1344-5; North 622; SCBC 1055. Old cabinet toning. Good VF. Rare.
From the Sidney W. Harl & Kenneth W. Harl Collection, purchased from James King, May 1977. Ex Clonterbrook Trust (Glendining, 7 June 1974), lot 29; R.C. Lockett Collection (Part IV, 26 April 1960), lot 3628; Spink Numismatic Circular XXVI.7-8 (July-August 1918), no. 64610; W.M. Maish Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 25 March 1918), lot 23.
Aethelred I (865/6-871), King of Wessex, was the third son of Aethelwulf and successor to his older brother Aethelberht. He fought heroically against the Danish Great Army in 870-871. Despite his victory over the Danes at Reading, he suffered two subsequent defeats and died, leaving to his brother Alfred the crown and the negotiations necessary to buy off the Viking invaders with the payment of Danegeld.
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