Lot 191
Great Britain. Kings of Mercia. AR Penny, ND (East Anglian mint). Cf. North-397; cf. S-930. 1.32 grams. Beornwulf, 823-825 AD. Crude Profile Portrait type. Diademed draped bust right (the portrait highly schematic and debased); PEORVULF REX around (more than half of the inscription upside-down and reverted). Reverse: + EADGAR in two lines, divided by two single arms of a cross Moline, with central "infinity-like" emblem and flanking double pellets in between. For the issue a fine, sharp strike, on excellent metal, and on a full flan. Light to medium dark russet toning on obverse; the reverse a matte neutral gray with occasional bright silver. Considerable mint luster evident. Excessively Rare, apparently unpublished. Important! NGC graded AU-55.
A discovery piece! Likely patterned after a slightly earlier penny of the Mercian king Coelwulf I (821-823 AD.), as per S-921, and North-387 (Canterbury mint), with the lettering of Eadgar similar to that of North-393 (East Anglian mint). The coin was reputedly found by a metal detectorist in East Anglia in 2001. It was reported to the authorities, who declared it treasure trove and available for purchase. The Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge was eager to acquire the coin, but could not raise the purchase funds.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,000.
Ex Dr Jacob Y. Terner Collection (by private treaty to the Millennia Collection).
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| Realized $18,975 |
