Date: c. 939-941

Description:

Hiberno-Norse (Northumbria). Anlaf Guthfrithsson. 939-941. Silver Penny; Southumbrian mint, probably Lincoln; Litelman, moneyer – the only example known of this moneyer.

This coin shares an obverse die and anomalous style with the unique Raven penny struck by the moneyer Odeler. Both the authors of CTCE and Mark Blackburn believed that the coin of Odeler should be attributed to a mint other than York. Lincoln has been proposed. The fact that the moneyer Litleman is only otherwise known to strike for the kings of Wessex namely Aethelstan, Eadmund, and Eadwig strengthens this view.

• Extremely Fine (EF)
  • Lightly toned
  • Small mark on reverse
  • Broad flan
• An excellent example of this iconic type
• This particular variety is of the highest rarity

References:

• CTCE Group IV am – same obv. die, unlisted moneyer
• SCBI –; BMC –; cf. North 537/1; SCBC 1019

Obverse:

• Raven with wings displayed, head left
• + ONLΛF 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
• + LITILHAN • MOHETΛ

Country:

• Northumbria

Category:

• Hiberno-Norse
  • Kingdom of Northumbria
• Hammered

 

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Other Viking Coins in this Series:

• The Old Currency Exchange: Checklist (Hiberno-Norse)

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 ?