Edward the Confessor Penny Radiate Type Lincoln Aelfnoth

Description

Heading: Edward the Confessor penny – radiate type – Lincoln Mint – 1044-1046
Denomination: Silver radiate type penny

Period: Anglo-Saxon

Date: AD 1044-1046

Origin: Lincoln mint. Aelfnoth moneyer

Condition: AVF. slightly weak strike and crease. neat round flan

Obverse: Radiate bust left. legend around

Reverse: Small cross. +AELFNOD ONN LINCOL

Size and Weight: 17mm. 0.88g

References: Spink 1173. North 816

Features and Provenance: In 1042. Edward ‘the Confessor’ became king of all England after the death of his half-brother. Harthacnut. Edward was the son of  Aethelred II (the Unready) and Emma of Normandy. He was born in Oxfordshire between 1003 to 5; spending twenty five years in exile. in France. so that it is believed once back in England he spoke Norman French and was advised in French. but did know English. The epithet. ‘the Confessor’ is said to be due to his pious nature. but historians now think this is more likely to have been adopted by his supporters to bolster the likelihood of him being canonised after his death; his cult status being a political move and money maker rather than an earned moniker. ‘If some cause aroused his temper. he seemed as terrible as a lion’ and his love for hunting does not indicate a man of a saintly disposition. However. canonised he was. and he was the last British monarch to have been made a saint.

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