Lot 491
Harold II (6th Jan-14th Oct 1066), Silver Penny, Pax type, Lewes Mint, Moneyer Oswold. Crowned bust left with sceptre, legend and outer beaded border surrounding, legend commences at upper right, +HAROLD REX ANG, rev. PAX between beaded lines horizontal at centre, legend with inner and outer beaded border surrounding, legend commences at lower left +OZPOLD ON LEPEEI, weight 1.34g (B.M.C. type I; N.836; S.1186). Attractively toned, with a pleasing portrait, almost extremely fine. Value $3,500 - UP
The short reign of Harold II seems to see a reduction in the number of mints and moneyers in operation, though with the recent find in the Chew Valley in Somerset of a hoard of Harold II and William I coins, numismatists are waiting with baited breath to see what new expansion of such data can be garnered from further study, as the hype of new types and mints apparent in the hoard have caused great excitement. According to North the Lewes Mint in Sussex only had three moneyers for Harold II as opposed to fifteen for his predecessor Edward. As of the publication of North most mints show only such small numbers active, with the most actually at York with up to twelve and Lincoln and London tying for second place with eight moneyers each. Gloucester and Cambridge tie for third with six moneyers apiece. The only type known and available to commerce at present, is the PAX type on account of the short reign culminating in the Battle of Hastings, unless the Chew Hoard contains new types not seen before which more than likely would end up institutionalized.
The obverse Latin legend translates as "Harold King of the English" and the reverse as "Oswold of Lewes.".
Ex Collection of a Married Couple, Bowers and Merena, 15-17th March 2001, lot 3535. Purchased from Spink and Son Ltd, 26th April 2001.
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| Realized $5,280 |
