Imitating Aethelred II’s ‘Hand of God Penny’

306, Lot: 480. Estimate $1500. Sold for $1300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BOHEMIA. Boleslav II. 972-999. AR Denár (20mm, 1.36 g, 1h). Praha (Prague) mint; Omer, moneyer. BOLEZLAVS XVD (retrograde), manus Dei emerging from clouds / +OMERIZ PRACACI (retrograde), diademed and draped bust right; Latin cross before. Smerda 31. Good VF.

This type is based on the ‘Hand of God penny’, introduced in England by Aethelred II after 979 (SCBC 1144). The moneyer Omer was likely a Jewish merchant in Prague.