Sale: CNG 64, Lot: 1665. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 24 September 2003.  Sold For $850. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IRELAND. Hiberno-Norse. Phase II. Circa 995-1150. AR. Penny (1.24 gm). Struck circa 1015-1035. +IHTRCRX + IDIFHI, head left, crozier behind / +IN RIFII HNIO DICI, long cross, pellets. SCBI BM 80; SCBC 6125A. Toned, good VF. Very rare. ($1000)

The Vikings began raiding the British Isles towards the end of the 8th century and by the 9th century large groups of Norsemen were settling in Ireland. The first pennies minted in Ireland were produced in Dublin near the end of the 10th century. Initially these coins directly imitated contemporary Anglo Saxon issues.

These coins are classified by phases of development from their original Saxon prototypes. By the later phases, the Hiberno-Norse coins are increasingly debased in style and weight, and their inscriptions became meaningless. This coinage eventually ended with the Anglo-Norman invasions which began in 1169. A new coinage was introduced by Prince John circa 1185.