CNG 85, Lot: 1478. Estimate $1000. Sold for $2100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of All England. Aethelred II. 978-1016. AR Penny (19mm, 1.40 g, 6h). Helmet type (BMC viii, Hild. E). London mint; Leofweald, moneyer. Struck circa 1003-1009. + EÐELRÆD REX ΛN, bust left wearing armor and radiate helmet / + LEΘ.FPΘLD MΘ LV(ND)., voided long cross, with pellet in center and triple crescent ends, over square with trefoil at each point; cross pattée in 1st and 4th quarters. Cf. H.A. Parsons, “Symbols and double names on late Saxon coins,” BNJ XIII (1916), pp. 29-30; SCBI -; Hild. -; BMC -; EMC -; North 775 var. (crosses not noted); SCBC 1152 var. (same). Near EF, peck marks. Extremely rare variety with crosses on reverse.

From the Marie Karlsson Collection.

Parsons notes 10 moneyers, all at the London mint, who struck helmet types that had two crosses in the field, as here. Leofwold was not among them. As some of these moneyers were fairly prolific, the extreme rarity of these coins suggests the crosses were applied for a particular issue at London that was short in duration.