Viking Coinage of York - Cnut Silver Penny
Viking coinage of York
Cnut
Patriarchal cross
Type EC-1(B-II)/CR-G
1.37g 19.7mm
Spink – 991
North - 497
Obverse:
EB IAR I CE I. Small cross in centre, pellets in field.
Reverse:
CNVT at limbs of patriarchal cross, REX between, pellets in field.
Small scratch on the obverse otherwise good very fine and toned. Same die pair as SCBI 2 Hunterian - Number 479.
Ex Motcomb Collection
Likely Ex Cuerdale Hoard
Apart from a handful of coins discovered in 1611 at Harkirke, Lancashire and some isolated single finds across Europe, it is conservatively estimated that at least 99% of surviving examples of this type were part of the Cuerdale Hoard.
The Cuerdale Hoard was discovered by a group of workmen repairing the embankment on the south side of the banks of the River Ribble, near Preston, Lancashire on 15th May 1840. It consisted of nearly 7,000 coins and nearly 1,000 ounces of silver. It is the largest hoard of Viking coins ever found in the British Isles. A number of the coins were dispersed soon after the find but the majority of the hoard was seized for the Crown, Queen Victoria in right of her Duchy of Lancaster; the Duchy then passed it to the British Museum for examination prior to its distribution to over 170 recipients, including institutions and private individuals. The suggested deposition date is between 903–905 AD.
For further reading see:
Lyon, S. & Stewart, I. (1961), 'The Northumbrian Viking Coins in the Cuerdale Hoard' in 'Anglo-Saxon Coins: Studies Presented to F.M. Stenton on the Occasion of His 80th Birthday'. Methuen & Co Ltd. pp 96-121.
Hawkins, E. (1843). 'An Account of Coins and Treasure found in Cuerdale'. The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Numismatic Society, 5, pp 1–104.
Data sheet
- Metal
- Silver
Specific References