Anglo-Saxon, Cnut, Silver Helmet Type Penny, 1029-36
VF, but weak in parts. Helmeted profile bust, looking left, with sceptre, CNUT REX ANG. Short voided cross, united in the centre with two circles and a central pellet, in each quarter there is a broken annulet with central pellet, CRVRNM O EOERP. Cnut was born around 990, his father was Sweyn Forkbeard, the Danish prince. Little is known of his childhood and indeed the name of his mother.
In a later Saga he is described as'exceptionally tall and strong and the handsomest of men, all except for his nose which is rather hooked'. In 1013 he invades England with his father, a climax to a number of Viking raids.
Aethelred, the English king, flees the country to France and Forkbeard takes over. However, he dies not long after and Cnut's elder brother Harald Bluetooth becomes King of Denmark and Cnut is elected King of England. Of course, the English nobility disagrees with this and there is a period of unrest. Once fully on the throne he rules for nearly two decades. 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, Cnut, Silver Helmet Type Penny, 1029-36" is in sale since Wednesday, October 21, 2020. 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)
600 - 1066)