Date: c. 1015-1035

Hiberno-Norse Phase II Long Cross Penny, Sihtric of Dublin (Difelin) and signature; (Faeremin) moneyer of Dublin.

• Weight: 1.16 g
• Diameter: 18mm
• Toned
• Good VF (gVF)

References:

• SCBI 8 (BM), 75 (for type); SCBI 32 (Ulster), 71 (same dies); SCBC 6125

Obverse:

• Draped bust left; cross pattée behind neck and two pellets in front of face
  • Legend:
    • + HNTRC RE+ ИFDIN
    • Blundered legend, but translates as “Sihtric, King of Dublin”

Reverse:

• Voided long cross, with triple crescent ends; pellet in each angle
  • Legend:
    • + FIE RENI ИFIΘ HΘIH
    • Blundered legend, but translates as “Faeremin of Dublin”

Country:

• Ireland

Category:

• Hiberno-Norse / Hiberno-Scandinavian
  • Phase 2
    • Long Cross
    • Moneyer: Faeremin of Dublin
• 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