CNG 109, Lot: 806. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

DENMARK. Harald Blåtand (Bluetooth). Circa 958/9-986. AR Halvbrakteat (18mm, 0.36 g, 6h). Imitating class 2 deniers of Charlemagne from Dorestadt. Haithabu (Hedeby) mint. Struck circa 960s-970s. Large crescent flanked by two lines / Four parallel vertical lines; double crescent above. Malmer, Nordiska, Group KG 9b-c; Hauberg 1; Hauberg Collection 1-8. EF, attractive iridescent toning.

From the BRN Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Review XL.2 (Summer 2015), no. 407391; Classical Numismatic Review XIX.4 (Fourth Quarter 1994), no. 426.

For a recent analysis of this coinage, and place within the coinage of King Harald, see J. C. Moesgaard, King Harald’s Cross Coinage: Christian Coins for the Merchants of Haithabu and the King’s Soldiers (Copenhagen, 2015).