Date: c. 1009-1011
Description:
Hiberno-Norse Silver Penny, Phase 1, Class C (Imitating Æthelred II’s Helmet type). Struck in the name of Sihtric, King of Dublin. Dublin mint signature, Moneyer: Car
- Diameter: 18 mm
- Weight: 1.2 g
References:
- Seaby 6113
Provenance:
- Whyte’s of Dublin Sales
- February 1996, Lot 629
- 16th April, 2011, Lot 469
- Extremely Fine (EF)
- Five peck marks on reverse (this coin was used in commerce)
- Extremely rare
- Believed to be the only example in private hands
Obverse:
- Bust left, wearing armour and radiate helmet
- Slightly blundered Legend: + ZIHT ERE DYF
- Translates as: Sihtric, King of Dublin
Reverse:
- Voided long cross, with pellet in center and triple crescent ends, over square with trefoil at each point.
- Slightly blundered Legend: + CA RMO DIF LINR
- Translates as: Car, Moneyer of Dublin
Country:
- Ireland
Category:
- Hiberno-Norse
- Phase I
- Class C (Helmet issue)
- Mint = Dublin
- Moneyer = Car
- Hammered
Additional Information:
The British numismatist Michael Dolley classified Hiberno-Norse coins into seven distinct “phases”, covering a period of over 150 years.
About the year 995, Sihtric III “Silkbeard”, (also spelled Sitrick, Sigtrygg, Sitriuc and many other variants) King of Dublin, issued silver pennies that closely imitated the contemporary Anglo-Saxon coins of English King Aethelred II.
- Some of Sihtric’s coins bear his own name, and spell out the name of Dublin (“DYFLIN,”); others simply copy the names of Aethelred and various English mints and moneyers.
- These were the first coins struck in Ireland
- The reason for issuing them was probably both
- practical (to pay mercenaries)
- symbolic (to enhance the king’s prestige by displaying his wealth and power)
- The reason for issuing them was probably both
Phase I coinage lasted 20-25 years, and went through several design changes.
- The most common type imitates Aethelred’s “Long Cross” issue, bearing an obverse image of a bare-headed king draped in a cloak. The “voided cross” reverse could serve as a guide for cutting the coin into halves or quarters, since no smaller denominations were struck.
- Class A 996-1001 Crux issue (King Aethelred II)
- Class B 1002-1008 Long Cross issue (King Aethelred II)
- Class C 1009-1011 Helmet issue (King Aethelred II)
- Class D 1011-1016 Small Cross issue (King Aethelred II)
- Class E 1016-1018 Quatrefoil issue (King Cnut)
- Class F 1024-1030 Pointed Helmet issue (King Cnut) in the name of Sihtric – none known
- Class ? 1024-1030 Pointed Helmet issue (King Cnut) in the name of Anlaf Sihtricsson – one ‘unique’ piece recently found
Other Coins in this Series:
- The Old Currency Exchange: Checklist (Hiberno-Norse)
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
The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes 
congratulations on this Coin it’s an absolutely amazing. I have not seen it like this with that minter . I recently put up my Irish collection for sale for auction at Noonan’s. I started my Irish collection in 1974. 50 years ago.
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Noonan’s have been getting some great prices for Irish coins recently and have a great following. I wish you well on your forthcoming sale.
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I’m thinking about doing an M.Phil. (by research) on the Hiberno-Norse series with a view towards identifying the sources (local silver mines, hack silver hoards and/or imported coinage) of the raw materials for Phase I and II coinage (by mint signature and moneyer) and, if the results prove useful, expand it to a full PhD covering the entire 7 phases. It might shed some light on the Viking bullion economy that preceded/co-existed with their monetary system.
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