Extremely Rare Watchet Mint Penny

CNG 109, Lot: 878. Estimate $3000. Sold for $3250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of All England. Æthelred II. 978-1016. AR Penny (20mm, 1.12 g, 9h). Second Hand type (BMC iid, Hild. B2). Watchet mint; Sigeric, moneyer. Struck circa 985-991. + ÆÐEΓRED REX ΛNCL(ORX), diademed and draped bust right; scepter before / + SIGERIC M–O PECED, manus Dei descending from clouds; flanked by barred Λ ω above pellets. Blackburn, Mint 4 (dies B/b); SCBI 9 (Ashmolean), 464 (same dies); Hild. 3888 var. (obv. legend); BMC 336 (same dies); North 768; SCBC 1146. Good VF, richly toned and of lovely style. Extremely rare; one of only two in private hands for this type at Watchet.

Ex Gordon V. Doubleday Collection (Glendining, 6 October 1987), lot 549.