Anglo-Saxon Aethelred II Silver'Hand of Providence' Type Penny 979-985
Extremely fine, small edge loss. Diademed bust right (without sceptre), +AEDELRED REX ANGLOX. Hand of providence facing down, between alpha and omega, +PVLFRIC M-O LVNDONI.
Aethelred succeeded to the throne of England at the age of twelve, in 978, after the assassination of his older half-brother, Edward (the Martyr). The assassins were supporters of Aethelred but it is unlikely that Aethelred himself had anything to do with the conspiracy. His name in Old English means: Aethel=noble and red=council or advice, so it is rather ironic that his nickname became'the Unready' or ill advised. However, the first record of this epithet does not appear until 150 years after his death in 1016 and it is unlikely that his contemporaries thought of him in this light.
This varies with the age of coin and there are grades in between. As struck with no traces of wear. Very slight traces of wear, all parts of legend etc present, visible and clear. Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but maybe worn.
Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible. I have been involved in the antiques business since 1971.
My career took a leap forward when I joined Bonhams in 1976. Some five years later I became head of the Decorative Arts department. The item "Anglo-Saxon Aethelred II Silver'Hand of Providence' Type Penny 979-985" is in sale since Tuesday, January 5, 2021. This item is in the category "Coins\Coins\British\Hammered (Pre-c.
The seller is "eric-knowles-the-hoard" and is located in High Wycombe. This item can be shipped worldwide.600 - 1066)