122, Lot: 410. Estimate $100. Sold for $191. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

HUNGARY. Peter. 1038-1041 & 1044-1046. AR Penny (17mm, 0.55 g). +PETRVS REX, small cross with wedges in quarters / +PANNONIA (N's retrograde), small cross with wedges in quarters. Huszár 6; Réthy 8. EF, lightly toned, typical flatness on reverse.

Peter was the nephew and nominated heir of Stephen (Istvan) I, the first king of Hungary and founder of the Arpád dynasty. Unlike Stephen, Peter was a cruel king who used force to achieve his goals, and soon alienated many of his nobles, the clergy, and the populace. He was forced from power in 1041, but was restored in 1044 with the help of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry III, to whom he swore alliegence. This act brought Hungary under the rule of the Empire, something Stephan fought hard to avoid. Peter exacted a harsh revenge upon the nobles and clergy who overthrew him, which led to a popular revolt led by the sons of King Vasul of Poland, a relative of Stephen I. Peter was captured and blinded, and died in prison soon thereafter.