ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Wessex. Edward the Elder. 899-924. AR Penny (21mm, 1.57 g, 6h). Botanical type (BMC ix). Mercian Northwest dies; Asulfr, moneyer. Middle period I, circa 910-915. + EΛDVVEΛRD EX, small cross pattée / Two branches; OS VLF across field. CTCE 329c (this coin); SCBI –; BMC 105; North 659; SCBC 1079. Old cabinet toning. VF. Extremely rare – one of only four listed in CTCE.
From the Sidney W. Harl & Kenneth W. Harl Collection, purchased from J. Linzalone. Ex L. Stack Collection (Sotheby’s, 22 April 1999), lot 454; P. Nelson Collection; Lord Grantley Collection (Part III, 22 March 1944), lot 1011; H. Montagu Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge, 18 November 1895), lot 591; W. Brice Collection (collection acquired en block by Montagu in 1887); E. Wigan Collection (acquired by Rollin & Feuardent in 1872); Joseph Barratt Collection; T. Dimsdale Collection (Sotheby, 6 July 1824), lot 607.
Under Edward the Elder, a limited number of coins were struck that stand out from the usual cross or two line types generally in vogue at the time. Usually depicting a tower (or possibly a church or reliquary) or a botanical design, the exact reason for these charming types is today unknown. Regardless, they are justifiably popular among collectors and would form the centerpiece of any collection of 10th century English coins.
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