Anglo-Saxon Aethelred II Silver ‘Hand of Providence’ Type Penny 979-985

Description

Denomination: Silver penny ‘first hand type’

Period: Anglo-Saxon

Date: c979-985

Origin: London mint. Wulfric moneyer

Condition: Extremely fine. small edge loss

Obverse: Diademed bust right (without sceptre). +AEDELRED REX ANGLOX

Reverse: Hand of providence facing down. between alpha and omega. +PVLFRIC M-O LVNDONI

Size and Weight: 1.45g. 20.6mm

References: Sear1144. North 767

Features and Provenance:  Aethelred succeeded to the throne of England at the age of twelve. in 978. after the assassination of his older half-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’ or ill advised. However. the first record of this epithet does not appear until 150 years after his death in 1016 and it is unlikely that his contemporaries thought of him in this light. 

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