Date: c. 1015-1035

 

Hiberno-Norse Phase II Long Cross Penny, Sihtric of Dublin, with Dublin mint signature of Carm (Moneyer of Dublin). An extremely rare moneyer.

• Weight: 1.47 g
• Diameter: 19mm
• Extremely fine (EF), pretty much as struck
• Extremely rare – possibly the rarest of all Phase II moneyers

References:

• SCBI BM –; S 6125; DF 23

Obverse:

Draped bust left; poorly executed cross pattée behind neck

• Legend: +SIHTR RE+ DYFLM
• Blundered legend, but translates as “Sihtric, King of Dublin”

Reverse:

Long voided cross, tiny pellet in each angle

• Legend: + CARM NO DYFLINR
• Slightly blundered legend, but translates as “CARM, moneyer of Dublin”

 

Country:

• Ireland

Category:

• Hiberno-Norse
  • Phase 2
    • Moneyer: Carm
• 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 grammes
  • By Phase II the average weight of the coinage is reduced to 1.2 grammes

The inscriptions (legends) on Phase II coins are, typically, ‘blundered’

• This is a numismatic term for mis-spelt, or a jumble of letters
  • bits of the name “Sihtric” and “Dyflin” are still often recognizable.
• On the obverse of Phase II coins, a J-shaped symbol – interpreted as an inverted bishop’s crozier – sometimes appears behind the bust.
• Small pellets, typically, appear in the angles of the long 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