Recorded Helmet Type of Aethelstan

CNG 102, Lot: 1434. Estimate $7500. Sold for $8000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Wessex. Æthelstan. 924-939. AR Penny (22mm, 1.25 g, 6h). Helmet type (BMC xii). Uncertain mint in the Northeast (NE II); Beso, moneyer. Struck circa 935-938/9. + ÆÐELSTΛ(N R)EX, crowned, helmeted, draped bust right / BESE MONETΛ, cross crosslet. Blunt, Aethelstan –; SCBI 34 (BM), –; EMC 2013.0358 (this coin); North 686; SCBC 1104. Good VF. Excellent metal quality. Rare. Though unknown for Æthelstan, this moneyer is recorded for Eadmund and Eadred..

Found on the Thames River foreshore at Battersea, 1983.

Æthelstan was a remarkably successful monarch who managed to establish dominion over the whole of the island of Britain, having driving the Danes from York and received the submission of Constantine of Scotland, Hywel Dda of Wales, and Owain of Strathclyde, and Ealdred of Northumbria. Ruling over these diverse people required a new, centralized government ruled through ealdormen and advised by the Royal Council. Æthelstan also reformed legal codes, standardized the coinage, and promoted the church. Unfortunately, his kingdom did not survive long after his death. York quickly reverted to Viking control under Olaf Guthfrithsson of Dublin. Æthelstan’s successor, his half brother Eadmund, spent most of his reign attempting to maintain control of his threatened kingdom.