Date: c. 939-41 AD

Description:

Hiberno-Norse (Northumbria). Anlaf Guthfrithsson. 939-941. Silver Penny (20mm, 1.14 g, 7h). Eoferwic (York) mint; Athelferd, moneyer. CTCE group IV, a-al; SCBI 4 (Copenhagen) 628-33 var. (legend); BMC 1092-6 var. (legend and stops); North 537; SCBC 1019. EMC 2015.0099 (this coin).

• Almost Extremely Fine (aEF)
• Lightly toned
• An excellent example of this iconic type

Obverse:

• Raven with wings displayed, head left
• + •ΛNL-•ΛF CVNVHC’

The Raven type has one of the most dramatic coin designs in the Anglo-Viking coinage series. It shows the classic Viking symbol, a raven, with head turned left and outstretched wings.

Conversely, this design can also be recognized in a Christian context: the raven is associated with St. Oswald (a Northumbrian royal saint). The symbiotic relationship between royalty and religion can be clearly seen in Hiberno-Norse coinage.

Reverse:

• Small cross pattée
• +•ΛÐELFERD HINETΓ

Country:

• Northumbria

Category:

• Hiberno-Norse
  • Kingdom of Northumbria
• Hammered

Additional Reading:

• O’Brien Coin Guide: Anglo-Saxon Coins & Their Links to Ireland
• O’Brien Coin Guide: Coinage of the Viking Kingdom of York (AD 895-954) coming soon
• O’Brien Coin Guide: Coinage of the Viking Kingdom of Northumbria (AD 921-952)
• O’Brien Coin Guide: Who Introduced Anglo-Saxon Coins to Ireland and why ?