| Noonans (formerly Dix Noonan Webb) > Auction 283 | Auction date: 14 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 747 Price realized: 150 GBP (Approx. 187 USD / 172 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Channel Island and Anglo-Gallic Coins Anglo-Gallic, Edward III, Double tournois, Calais, [–]d[––––]a : a[––––], rex across large crown, rev. mo[––––]esis, ornate cross, 0.82g/8h (W 329; E 122; S –). Only poor to fair but excessively rare £200-£300 |  |
Match 1:
| Noonans (formerly Dix Noonan Webb) > Auction 283 | Auction date: 14 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 748 Price realized: 130 GBP (Approx. 162 USD / 149 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Channel Island and Anglo-Gallic Coins Anglo-Gallic, Henry V, Florette, fourth issue, St Lô, mm. cross, three lis with leopard either side, rev. crown in first quarter, horizontal h in centre of cross, point 2 both sides, 1.95g/1h (W 366A; E 250; S 8159). On a small irregular flan, very fine for issue and very rare £150-£200 |  |
Match 2:
| Spink > Auction 23051 | Auction date: 27 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 1072 Price realized: 4,500 GBP (Approx. 5,715 USD / 5,276 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Henry IV (1399-1413), "Heavy Coinage", Type II, Penny, 1399-1412, London, hENRIC 'x D 'x G 'x REX [An]GL 'x F, saltire stops, crowned bust facing, shorter neck, star on breast, rev. CIVI[TAS] LONDON, reverse-barred Roman Ns, long cross, trio of pellets in each angle, 1.07g [16.51grns], 10h (Potter 1, dies 1/1 [BNJ 1960/61, p. 125]; Snelling -; Hawkins -; Whitbourn [1869] 181a = J F Neck, NumChron [1871], p. 108, no. 2 = Rashleigh [1909], 699c same obverse die; Montagu -; Lockett -; Stewartby III, 1215 same obverse die; North 1348; Spink 1719), slightly short of flan, a hint of die-clashing through portrait with peripheral striking softness nevertheless the distinctive Heavy Coinage legend perfectly clear and almost fully legible, richly cabinet toned, about very fine for issue and OF THE HIGHEST RARITY. Provenance, The George Pickering Collection of English and Anglo-Gallic Silver Coins, Seaby, by private treaty, 1981 - £700 [with their distinctive orange ticket, stating: P21306, 6820H/S - cost £500], It is somewhat of a mystery that the 1981 Seaby ticket makes no mention of the Raymond Carlyon-Britton specimen, nor the Potter corpus of this excessively rare series. This is especially confusing as Seaby privately purchased both collections between 1959 and 1963. Frustratingly no illustration can be traced for Carlyon-Britton's (dies 1/1), Potter seemingly overlooking its illustration in his reappraisal of the specie of The Silver Coinages of Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V, for the BNJ in 1958 and 1960. Helpfully he does note that 'CIVITAS' is 'not visible'. On the present specimen the TAS of CIVITAS is struck flat, but even the most cursory of inspections enables a clear reading of the CIVI. Are we looking at Raymond Carlyon-Britton's own specimen, or a second example that surfaced in the Seaby dealing trays in the early 1980s? In any case, only five other Heavy Coinage Pennies of Henry IV for London can be traced with certainty, making this an highly important offering. Estimate: £1000 - £1500 |  |
Match 3:
| Spink > Auction 23005 | Auction date: 12 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 316 Price realized: 480 GBP (Approx. 603 USD / 559 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: The 'Haddenham' Collection of English Coins | An Academic Reference Collection of Trevor Ashmore Anglo-Saxon Forgeries from the Haddenham Collection (32) | , An Ashmore Copy of Kent, Heaberht (fl. 765), Penny, Canterbury, Eoba, + HEABERHT, Rx monogram at centre, rev. E-O-B-A in angles of voided cross pommée, [Spink XRF: 41.44% Ag], 2.29g, 12h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 837-010; Finn 118; Vide: Lord Grantley, NumChron, 1900, p. 148 = C E Blunt, BNJ 1952, pp. 52-57 = cf. SCBI 67 [BM], 661 = cf. North 198; = cf. Spink 873 [for original]), the unique original safely housed in the National collection since 1900; acquired 'IF', 1986 - £25, , An Ashmore Copy of Kent, Cuthred (798-807), Group I, Type Ci, Penny, Canterbury, Sæbeorht, CVÐ-RED REX in angles of tribrach with limbs terminating in circles, centre circle containing tribrach with pellets in angles, rev. + SE-BE-HRT in angles of single tribrach moline, pellets at bases and terminals, centre circle containing smaller tribrach, [Spink XRF: 47.00% Ag], 1.85g, 11h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 876-060/070; Finn 13; cf. Spink 876 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Archbishops of Canterbury, Ceolnoth (833-870), Group III, 'Inscribed Cross' Type, Penny, concocted prior to October 1972, Canterbury, Leofing, CEOLNOÐ ARCHIEP, tonsured bust facing, breaking inner circle, rev. + LIABIN CG MO N E T A, within and in angles of cross, [Spink XRF: 91.15% Ag], 2.03g, 12h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 894-010/040; Finn 14 ~ attributed to 'A Series of Sterling Silver Copies made by Period Coins'; cf. Spink 894 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Mercia, Offa (757-796), 'Heavy Coinage' Penny, concocted before August 1969, Canterbury, Æthelnoth, BERHTVLF REX commencing at 8 o'clock, diademed and draped bust right breaking inner circle, rev. + BYRNVALD commencing at 6 o'clock, around central circle containing alpha and omega monogram, [Spink XRF: 90.75% Ag], 1.73g, 12h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 907-160/210 - "Shown to BM, 10 July 1972, by T. Ashmore, Notts - "He must know manufacturer as his advert 'coin' is of same style" - This forgery is based on the coin shown in Seaby's Standard Catalogue - One of a series of sterling silver copies made by 'Period Coins'; Finn 16; cf. Spink 907 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Mercia, Ceolwulf I (821-823), Penny, 'Portrait' Type, Wodel, CEOLVVLF REX M, diademed and draped bust right, rev. WOD-EL MON-ETA across three lines, [Spink XRF: 90.94% Ag], 1.87g, 3h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 927; Finn 19; cf. Spink 927 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1991 - £30, , An Ashmore Copy of Mercia, Wiglaf, Second Reign (c. 830-840), Penny, London, Rædmund, + VVIGLAF REX M, plain cross with pellet in each angle, rev. O | + REDMA | h, in three lines, the D and h in pelleted lunettes above and below, [Spink XRF: 46.45% Ag], 2.06g, 2h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 934-030; Finn 22; cf. Spink 934), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Mercia, Berhtwulf (840-852), Penny, London, Beornweald, BERHTVLF REX commencing at 8 o'clock, diademed and draped bust right breaking inner circle, rev. + BYRNVALD commencing at 6 o'clock, around central circle containing alpha and omega monogram, [Spink XRF: 47.08% Ag], 2.07g, 11h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 935; Finn 23; cf. Spink 935 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Mercia, Ceolwulf II (874-879), Penny, 'Portrait' Type, Leofweald, CIOLVVLF REX, diademed and draped bust right, crescent headdress, rev. LI-AF-VA-LD in angles of cross, [Spink XRF: 49.16% Ag], 1.65g, 12h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 944; Finn 24; cf. Spink 944 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of East Anglia, Eadwald (796-800), Penny, concocted prior to October 1972, Ipswich [?], Lul/Lulla, + EADWA | LD | REX in three lines, rev. + LVL in voids of quadrilobe, rosettes in angles, [Spink XRF: 89.65% Ag], 1.83g, 12h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 947-090/120 ~ attributed to 'A Series of Sterling Silver Copies made by Period Coins'; Finn 25; cf. Spink 947 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of East Anglia, Aethelweard (c. 840-855), Penny, Ipswich [?], Æthelhelm, EÐELPEARD REX, short cross, crescents in angles, rev. + ÆÐELHELIH, short cross, wedges in angles, [Spink XRF: 46.86% Ag], 1.98g, 11h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 953-010; Finn 27; cf. Spink 953 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Viking Kingdom of York (895-920), 'St. Peter' Penny, + SCIIE - TII MO, divided by sword, small cross pattée above and below, rev. + VII •: VIICIT : hammer cross divided by a pellet, [Spink XRF: 46.77% Ag], 1.85g, 8h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1015-010/020; Finn 33; cf. Spink 1015 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Eric Bloodaxe, Second Reign (952-954), Penny, York, Aculf, ERIC - REX in two lines, divided by sword, rev. + ACVLF MON, small cross pattée, [Spink XRF: 46.67% Ag], 1.97g, 2h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1030-010/020; Finn 36; cf. Spink 1030 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Wessex, Ecgberht, as King of the Mercians (802-839), Penny, c. 829, London, + ECGBERHT REX M, short cross potent, rev. + LVN | DONIA | CIVIT in three beaded lines, [Spink XRF: 46.81% Ag], 2.02g, 12h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1036-010/020; Finn 38; cf. Spink 1036 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Wessex, Æthelberht (858-866/68), 'Floriate Cross' Type, Penny, Canterbury, Oshere, + ÆÐELBEARHT REX, double-diademed and draped bust right, rev. + OSHERE MONETA, floriated cross fourchée over lobed-saltire, [Spink XRF: 47.15% Ag], 1.89g, 5h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1054-010/020; Finn 39; cf. Spink 1054 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Wessex, Alfred the Great (871-899), 'Monogram' Type, Penny, London, Tilewine, AD 880-883, AELFRX-ED REX, diademed and draped bust right, rev. LONDONIA monogram, trefoil to left, small cross to right, dividing TILEVINE | MONETA, [Spink XRF: 46.97% Ag], 1.73g, 4h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1062-080; Finn 41; cf. Spink 1062 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Wessex, Alfred the Great (871-899), Penny, 'Guthrum Type', Winchester, Wulfræd, ÆL FRE DRE small cross pattée, rev. VVLF +++ RED in two lines divided by row of cross pattées, [Spink XRF: 45.74% Ag], 1.88g, 3h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1067-040; Finn 43v1; cf. Spink 1067 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Wessex, Alfred the Great (871-899), Penny, Gloucester, ÆLFRL.ED X diademed and draped bust right, rev. ÆT GLEAPA, tau connected at its extremities by beaded lines, [Spink XRF: 47.27% Ag], 1.82g, 4h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1064-010/020; Finn 42; cf. BM 1838.0710.28 = [Cuerdale Hoard~ BM XX ~ cf. Spink 1064 for original]), the unique original coin the only known evidence of a Mint at Gloucester prior to the reign of Aethelstan; acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Wessex, Alfred the Great (871-899), Penny, concocted prior to March 1970, Exeter, + AEL | FRED RE | X SAXO | NVM in four lines, rev. EXA vertically, flanked by trefoil of pellets, [Spink XRF: 79.40% Ag], 1.76g, 12h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1070-020 [Reported 19 March 1970]; Finn 44; cf. Spink 1070 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Edward the Elder (899-924), 'Exceptional Issues', North Western Issues, Penny, Chester [?], Wulfgar, + EADVVEARD REX, small cross pattée, rev. building, VVLFGAR and cross below, [Spink XRF: 47.20% Ag], 1.77g, 5h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1075-010/030; Finn 46; cf. Spink 1075 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Edward the Elder (899-924), 'Exceptional Issues' ~ Floral Type, Penny, East Anglian Mint, Heremod, + EADWEARD REX, small cross pattée, rev. floral spray motif, HEREMOD and rosette in exergue below, [Spink XRF: 47.22% Ag], 1.90g, 8h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1078-030/050 - 'Spuriously claimed to have been found with 7 others in Portsmouth in 1987'; Finn 49; cf. SCBI 20 [Mack], 758 = Spink 1078 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Edward the Elder (899-924), 'Exceptional Issues' ~ Floral Type, Penny, Chester, Æthelwulf, + EADWEARD REX, small cross pattée, rev. floral spray motif, ADVLF MO and small cross pattée in exergue below, [Spink XRF: 47.22% Ag], 1.97g, 6h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1079-010/030; Finn 50; cf. Spink 1079 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Wessex, Edward the Elder (899-924), 'Exceptional Issues' - Floral Type, Penny, Chester, Buga, + EADVVEARD REX, small cross pattée within inner circle, rev. BV-GA, within tendrils of floral device, [Spink XRF: 50.55% Ag], 1.98g, 5h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1079-040; Finn 51; cf. Spink 1079 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , , An Ashmore Copy of Wessex, Edward the Elder (899-924), 'Exceptional Issues', North Western Mints, 'Hand of Providence' Type, Penny, Chester [?], Eadræd, + EADVVEARD REX, small cross pattée within inner circle, rev. EA-RE | DM-MO: across field divided by hand pointing upwards, [Spink XRF: 91.30% Ag], 1.86g, 6h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1081-010 var.; Finn 52; cf. SCBI 20 [Mack], 762 = Sale I, lot 119 [for unique original]; cf. Spink 1081 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Wessex, Edward the Elder (899-924), 'Exceptional Issues', North Western Mints, 'Tower' Type, Penny, concocted prior to September 1974, Chester [?], Cuthbeorht, + EADWEARD REX, small cross pattée, rev. CV-ÐB | ER-HT across field, divided by "camp gate", rosette flanked by pellets above, [Spink XRF: 46.55% Ag], 1.96g, 3h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1082-010/040 ['First shown Spink, September 1974']; Finn 53; cf. Spink 1082 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Wessex, Edward the Elder (899-924), 'Exceptional Issues', North Western Mints, 'Tower' Type, Penny, Chester [?], Eadmund, + EADVVEARD REX, small cross pattée, rev. EA-DV | M - ND divided by camp gate, [Spink XRF: 48.42% Ag], 1.94g, 10h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1083-040; Finn 54; cf. Spink 1083 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Aethelstan (924-939), 'Two Line' Type, North Eastern Mints, Penny, York, Ragnald/Ragnwald, + AEÐELSTAN REX, small cross pattée, rev. REGN | +++ | ALD in two lines, trefoil of pellets above and below, [Spink XRF: 46.88% Ag], 1.90g, 10h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1089-130/140; Finn 58; cf. Spink 1089), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Aethelstan (924-939), 'Exceptional Issues' ~ 'Floral Type', Penny, Warwick, Manthegn, + AEÐELSTAN REX, small cross pattée, rev. MON-ÐEGN in two lines divided by a row of three pellets, floral motifs above and below, [Spink XRF: 47.85% Ag], 1.94g, 8h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1097; Finn 59; cf. SCBI 20 [Mack], 775 = Spink 1097 [for original]), only two known of the original coin, this acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Æthelstan (924-939), 'Exceptional Issues' - Tower Type, Penny, York, Adalbert, + ÆDELSTAN REX, small cross pattée, rev. MO-N divided by Anglo-Saxon burh or tower, ADELBERT and trefoil in exergue below, [Spink XRF: 90.08% Ag], 1.77g, 5h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1100-010/030; Finn 60; cf. Spink 1100 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Dyfed, Howel Dda ap Cadell AKA Howell 'the Good' († 949/950), 'Two Line' Type, Penny, Gillaisu, + HOPLEL REX•: small cross pattée, rev. GIL+ | +++ | LYZ [retrograde] (6IL8ZYL), rosette above and below, [Spink XRF: 47.50% Ag], 1.88g, 4h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1121-010/020; Finn 62; cf. SCBI 34 [BM], 719 = cf. Spink 1121 [for unique original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Eadwig (955-959), 'Exceptional Issues', 'Hammer' Type, Penny, Oswald, EADVVIG REX, small cross pattée, rev. Thor's 'Mjolnir' or Hammer dividing OSP-ALD across field, [Spink XRF: 47.49% Ag], 1.81g, 1h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1125-010/030; Finn 63; cf. Spink 1125 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Eadgar (959-975), 'Horizontal Type', Penny, North Eastern Issues, Chester, Thorr/Thormodr, EADGAR REX, cross pattée, rev. ÐVR +++ MON, [Spink XRF: 46.97% Ag], 1.96g, 3h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1129-010/020; Finn 64; cf. Spink 1129 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , An Ashmore Copy of Eadgar (959-975), Portrait Type, Penny, East Anglian Mint, Norbert, + EADGAR REX, crude crowned and draped bust right, rev. + NORBERT MONETAI, small cross pattée, [Spink XRF: 47.09% Ag], 1.87g, 8h (Anglo-Saxon Counterfeits [2012], 1138-010/020; Finn 65; cf. Spink 1138 [for original]), acquired T Mathews, 1994 - £18, , (32). Estimate: £150 - £250 |  |
Match 4:
| Spink > Auction 23051 | Auction date: 27 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 1014 Price realized: 2,000 GBP (Approx. 2,540 USD / 2,345 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: 15th Century Contemporary Imitation of Edward III, Noble, in the artistic style of Pre-Treaty Period, Series E-G, Tower, but the linguistic style of Post-Treaty Coinages, struck c. 1420-1460, Unknown Mint Location, ED | WARD : DI : GRACIA : REX [....] [hY | B], unbarred gothic As, G retrograde and inverted, small, dumpy broad lettering, double 'saltire' stops appearing as crosses, annulet above sail, a naive but competent rendition of the King standing in 'Sluys' ship, with elongated 'Black Prince' style face, pellet eyes in sunken sockets, puffed cheeks, a fleur-de-lys punched incuse in lieu of mouth further flanked by 'dimples', and fluffy hair curling at ends, wearing plain robe with solitary corded hem-line at neck, residue of stap lines on breast, and folds of drapery at right elbow and across midriff, with heavily pelleted chainmail (?) at waist, holding medieval broad sword and Lancastrian shield with four fleur-de-lys evenly arranged in first quarter, twister ropes 3/1, pellets on castles, quatrefoils 3/4, ornaments • 1-11-1 • (lions left), with bowsprit, rev. + IhS AVTEM : TRAnSIEnS : PER [MEDIVM : (...)] ILLRVM IB, taller, dumpy lettering, double saltire stops, floriate cross, crowned leopards in angles, trefoils on cusps, E at centre, albeit rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise, additional fleur-de-lys in 'fourth' quarter above leopard, all inside double tressue of eight arches, the inner beaded, the outer continuous, trefoils in spandrels, 5.25g [81.02grns], 6h [to i.m.], 32mm x 0.5mm. diameter/thickness (Oddy, Archibald, Cowell and Meeks, "Forgeries of Medieval English Gold Coins: Techniques of Production", NumChron [2012], pp. 235-254, no. 17 [for stylistic similarities]), a tiny scuff to shield, with traces of double-striking in obverse legend as evidenced above WARD of regnal name, and 'hazing' to reverse field, a subtle trace of crimping, otherwise deliberately struck on a short flan as to give the appearance of an official coin subsequently clipped following the revaluation of 1412, artistically and linguistically of extremely competent workmanship, almost extremely fine / very fine and in reality, much as struck, an excessively rare example of 15th Century fraud. Provenance, Found at Thurlaston, Blaby District (Leicestershire), by Wednesday 1 October 2012, ~ Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme, ref. LEIC-0F59F0 ~ , , Little research has been afforded to the study of contemporary imitations in Medieval British numismatics, let alone a focus applied to the gold specie on account of the extreme paucity of surviving specimens for study. The late Marion Archibald documented the small corpus of representative samples in the British Museum trays for the Numismatic Chronicle in 2006, alongside which the infrequent appearance of imitation Nobles and their fractions have appeared at global public auction including a remarkable gilt-silver imitation of the excessively rare Third Coinage Noble of Edward III (fl. 1346-1351), found at Market Rasen, Lincolnshire and sold in these rooms (Spink Auction, 28 January 2019, lot 1618). At 32% below the proscribed weight of the Treaty Period Coinage as at 1351 (120 grains) and still 25% deficient on the retariffment of 1412 (108 grains). Estimate: £2400 - £3000 |  |
Match 5:
| Spink > Auction 23005 | Auction date: 12 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 159 Price realized: 6,500 GBP (Approx. 8,165 USD / 7,571 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: The 'Haddenham' Collection of English Coins | Wessex, Edward the Elder (899-924), 'Portrait' Type, Penny, c. 903-910, Winchester, Wulfræd, + EADVVEARD REX, bare head and draped bust of pleasingly fine style left, no diadem, but hair in knot at nape of neck, rev. • | VVLF+ | + • + | RED MO | • in two lines, divided by two crosses and pellet, pellet above and below, [Spink XRF: 96.32% Ag; 2.22% Cu; 1.05% Au; 0.415% Pb], 1.59g [24.54grns], 4h (Richard Meade [1755], 5b; Sharp [2017], 28; Ruding [1840], Pl. XVI, no. 4 different dies; 'A Hoard of Anglo-Saxon Coins from Rome', NumChron [1884], pp. 225-255, no. 72; Montagu I [1895], 576 = Bliss [1916], 88* = Drabble [1939], 398* = Mallinson 758* this coin; Montagu I [1895], 575 = Murdoch I [1903], 96 same obverse die; McClean [1906], 158 different dies; Roth I [1917], 65 = Ryan II [1952], 740* different dies; Carlyon-Britton [1918] 1659 = Lockett [1958], 2716 = Curwen [1959], 93 different dies; G W Shaw [1924], 564* different dies; Bruun [1925], 75* different dies; Huth [1927], 272; H A Parsons [1929], 97b; 'Rome Hoard II', Glendining, 16 May 1929, lot 39 same obverse die; 'Rome Hoard II', Glendining, 13 November 1930, lot 55 different dies; SCBI 30 [America], 327 different dies; P Finn, FPL 9 [January 1997], no. 77 same dies CTCE 44 [HT9]; North 651; BMC III [Coll. no. 91 = Pl. VII, no. 9 same obverse die]; Spink 1084), a small metal flaw before face and some peripheral striking softness to legends, with a further trace of smoothing and contact marks to cheek, otherwise a thoroughly wholesome coin with a deeply alluring 'fine style' and indeed 'true to life' portrait of 'the Elder' - the undisputed "finest known" of the five traced from this obverse die, and perhaps of any numismatic canon of the House of Wessex; with spots of red wax in fields from earlier plate impressions; with rich and attractive cabinet toning, a handsomely bold very fine / extremely fine, a great rarity and a frequent 'dead-cert' for catalogue illustration in sale dispersals, with an exemplary and entirely reconstructed pedigree since last offered in these rooms in 1984. Provenance, T Mathews, by private treaty, 1985 - £540, Rev. Arnold Mallinson, Spink 39, 6 December 1984, lot 75 - "obverse very fine but bust and hair extensively tooled, reversely extremely fine, very rare" [recte] - £340, Spink, by private treaty with Reverend Mallinson, G Drabble, Part I, Glendining, 4 July 1939, lot 398* - "in beautiful state and very rare" - £7.10.0 [Spink for stock], T Bliss, Sotheby's, 22 March 1916, lot 88* - "very fine and very rare" - £5.0.0 ["Pauyer"], H Montagu, First Portion, Sotheby's, 18 November 1895, lot 576 - "very fine and very rare" - £3.5.0 [Verity for Bliss], , , In the 1956 Seaby Bulletin, a cataloguer observed: "the bust of fine style, probably a real attempt at portraiture". To this can be added the notice that the reverse die is also to be found with the Circumscription obverse, as recovered from the Morley St. Peter and Cuerdale troves. , , The Spink cataloguer for the Mallinson sale, incidentally the last time this example would appear publicly for sale, interpreted the fine detailed incisions of the hair and furroughs of Edward's drapery as 'extensive tooling'. This is simply not shared by the present Spink cataloguer. Unsurprisingly, despite Mallinson's detailed pedigree work pre-dating even the Great War, the Drabble connection was entirely forgotten in 1984, much as Drabble had omitted the Bliss and all-to-sought-after Montagu connection. In the Mallinson catalogue, as well as in study of the Drabble and Bliss plate illustrations, no further disturbance can be noted for or surrounding the portrait. , , The mis-interpretation of tooling can be throughly dismissed by direct comparison to the 'Rome Hoard' (1929, lot 39) coin, in which same obverse die was employed. Even from the grainy plate illustration from that sale catalogue, the fine incision-work from the knot of hair to the brow of head are clearly faithful to the original die matrix. The same observation can be made in comparison to the the even clearer example from the Montagu 1895 sale (Portion I, lot 575), where this very coin happened to once sit happily as a venerable neighbour. Were further proof still required, study of the Finn FPL (January 1977, no. 77) provides a recent demonstration of this same remarkable Anglo-Saxon artistic canon. Patrick Finn, commented: "the best and most lifelike portrait I have seen on a coin of Edward the Elder. A coin to be exhibited as an example of Anglo-Saxon art.". Alas, the coin much like the present double-die matched example was a casualty of the low-ebb market and would remain on his books until (FPL 14, 1998, no. 90), but his observation undoubtedly stands the test of time., Estimate: £3000 - £4000 |  |
