A RARE coin made in Derby nearly 1,000 years ago is set to be sold at auction.
The silver penny, originating from the Anglo-Saxon period, was made in Derby by a moneyer – or coin maker – named Leofwine between 1042 and 1066.
The silver penny, originating from the Anglo-Saxon period, was made in Derby by a moneyer – or coin maker – named Leofwine between 1042 and 1066.
The Anglo Saxon Coin Made In Derby
It was minted during the reign of Edward The Confessor shortly before the Battle of Hastings, making it a sought-after piece by collectors.
The rare coin is expected to sell for between £800 and £1,200 when it is auctioned at Spink & Son in Bloomsbury, London, on Monday.
Jon Mann, a coin specialist at the auctioneers, said: “Derby is rare as an Anglo-Saxon mint, though does turn up from time to time. It does seem to be well sought-after by collectors and thus makes a premium.
“As well as being a rare mint, this piece was struck under Edward the Confessor, whose reign is more widely collected than say Aethelred or Cnut. The latter are more prolific. In addition, this piece has a particularly well-struck bust and a sought-after origin.”
The coin is listed by Spinks as being in very fine, in a pleasantly-toned condition, and has clear markings.
Mr Mann said: “It features a crowned bust of Edward the Confessor and his full regal title and on the reverse the mint or moneyer’s name and a cross design known as a hammer cross.”
The Derby-made coin was owned by the tenth Duke of Argyll until his death in 1949. The duke, nephew of Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Louise, thought the coin had been made in Dereham, Norfolk, but experts have now confirmed that it was minted in Derby.
In Anglo-Saxon times the Derby mint was one of 50 or 60 across England. It is impossible to pinpoint an exact location in the city where the coin was made, as several moneyers may have had a licence to make coins in their own workshops.
Mr Mann said: “Anglo-Saxon coins were struck by moneyers in burghs, or walled towns. The moneyers were usually wealthy merchants responsible for ensuring the correct weight and fineness of the coins.
“Their names would appear on the coin so it could be traced back. They were made in a workshop using engraved dies to strike the silver blanks placed in between.”
Coins from this time are often found cut in half or quarters they were divided if the monetary value of the product being purchased was less than the face value.
Between 1974 and 1984, ten Anglo-Saxon coins – including a broken half of an Edward The Confessor penny – were found at the Anglo-Saxon monastery at Repton. Nine more coins were found there in 1985-1986, including a cut Edward The Confessor farthing.
Spencer Bailey, Derby Museums collection manager, said: “This coin is not something I am aware of. Most of our archaeological items are donated to us following excavations. We have a number of Anglo-Saxon Derby mint coins on display at the Silk Mill.
“At the Derby Museum and Art Gallery we have further pieces from this time period, including the sarcophagus from the Saxon saint buried at St Alkmund’s Church before that building was
“Their names would appear on the coin so it could be traced back. They were made in a workshop using engraved dies to strike the silver blanks placed in between.”
Coins from this time are often found cut in half or quarters they were divided if the monetary value of the product being purchased was less than the face value.
Between 1974 and 1984, ten Anglo-Saxon coins – including a broken half of an Edward The Confessor penny – were found at the Anglo-Saxon monastery at Repton. Nine more coins were found there in 1985-1986, including a cut Edward The Confessor farthing.
Spencer Bailey, Derby Museums collection manager, said: “This coin is not something I am aware of. Most of our archaeological items are donated to us following excavations. We have a number of Anglo-Saxon Derby mint coins on display at the Silk Mill.
“At the Derby Museum and Art Gallery we have further pieces from this time period, including the sarcophagus from the Saxon saint buried at St Alkmund’s Church before that building was
demolished.”
http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Anglo-Saxon-coin-Derby-fetch-pretty-penny/story-22952948-detail/story.html
