Aethelred II First Hand Type Penny London Wynsige 979-985

Description

Denomination: Silver first hand type penny

Period: Late Anglo Saxon

Date: AD979-985

Origin: London mint, Wynsige moneyer

Condition: AVF/VF, dark toning

Obverse: Diademed bust, right, legend around +ÆÐELRÆD REX ANGLOX

Reverse: Hand of Providence issuing from the clouds, at sides A W, legend around +PNSIGE M’O LVNDO

Size and Weight: 20mm, 1.57g

References: S 1144, N 766

Features and Provenance: Aethelred came to the throne of England in 978, at the age of twelve. After the assassination of his older brother Edward (the Martyr) the assassins were supporters of Aethelred, but it is unlikely that Aethelred himself had anything to do with the conspiracy. His name in Old English means: Aethel = noble and red = council or advice, so it is rather ironic that his nickname became ‘the Unready’ = ill advised. However, the first record of this nickname doesn’t appear until 150 years after his death in 1016 and it is very unlikely that his contemporaries thought of him in this light.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible