Early Medieval English Coins from the Collection of William MacKay

Æthelred II (978-1016), Penny, Intermediate Small Cross type [BMC I; BEH A], struck at Wilton by Wulfgar, diademed bust left, +æðelræd rex anglor x around, rev. small cross, +pvlfgar m-o piltv around, 1.70g/3h (BEH 4022; FEJ –; N 773; S 1150). A trifle crimped, otherwise very fine and extremely rare £1,500-£2,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Early Medieval English Coins from the Collection of William MacKay.

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Collection

Baldwin Auction 31, 14 October 2002, lot 146; Dr J. Hulett Collection, Part XIII, DNW Auction 164, 9 October 2019, lot 2146

This coin illustrated in the Standard Catalogue of British Coins

The coins of the Intermediate Small Cross type are deceptively rare, and the type was only properly identified by Michael Dolley in 1955. It is to be identified chiefly by the bust style and epigraphy, both of which are close to the preceding CRVX issue. About 40 specimens are known, the vast majority of which are in institutional collections. Perhaps only five or six specimens are available to collectors, making the Intermediate Small cross more elusive than the famed Agnus Dei type.