Date: c. 1035-1055/60

Description:

Hiberno-Norse Silver Penny (17.5mm, 0.86 g, 7h). Phase III coinage, Long Cross type. Uncertain mint signature and moneyer. O`S –; SCBI 22 (Copenhagen), 188 (same dies); D&F 24; SCBC 6132.

• Extremely Fine (EF)
  • Toned, thin flan crack.

Obverse:

• +IIITIDFILFIDI, draped bust left

Reverse:

• +I- I·-I-I LII LII, voided long cross, with triple crescent ends; pellet in first quarter, ‘hand’ symbols in second and third quarters.

Country:

• Ireland

Category:

• Hiberno-Norse
  • Phase 3 / Phase III
• Hammered

Additional Information:

During Phase II (c. 1018 to 1035) the coinage became lighter, possibly reflecting the declining fortunes of the Kingdom of Dublin.

• While early Phase I coins weighed about 1.5 grams, by Phase II they are down to 1.2 or even less, and by Phase III coins, the average weight falls again, to 0.7 gram or less
• The distinctive ‘design feature’ of Phase II coins is a pair of spindly “hands” in opposite angles of the cross on the reverse.

Further Reading:

• O’Brien Coin Guide: Anglo-Saxon Coins & Their Links to Ireland
• O’Brien Coin Guide: Who Introduced Anglo-Saxon Coins to Ireland and why ?
• O’Brien Coin Guide: Introduction to the Hiberno-Norse Coinages of the Late 10th & Early 11th C