Description
Heading: Edward the Confessor Coin – Silver penny – 1048-1050
Denomination: Silver small flan penny
Period: Anglo-Saxon
Date: AD 1048-1050
Origin: Thetford mint
Condition: Fine. rather crude style. lettering unclear. possibly worn dies
Obverse: Diademed bust left. possibly reads +EDPI REXC
Reverse: Voided short cross. possibly +ESTMUND DET
Size and Weight: 12mm. 1.00g approx
References: Spink 1175
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
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