Early Medieval English Coins from the Collection of William MacKay

Kings of Wessex, Æthelred I (865/6-871), Four Line type [BMC II], Penny, struck at Canterbury by Torhtmund, diademed and draped bust right, +eðelre-d rex around, starting at 12 o’clock, rev. a / torhtm / vnd mon[e] / ta in four lines divided by three lines (two with hooked ends), the upper character flanked by trefoils, 0.95g/10h (Lyons & MacKay Ae1.8 = Rashleigh NC 1868, p. 148, no.2, this coin; N 624; S 1056). Edge rather chipped, otherwise very fine, darkly patinated and extremely rare; with a superb pedigree £1,200-£1,500

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

Found as part of the Trewhiddle, Cornwall, Hoard in November 1774; acquired by P. Rashleigh (1729-1811); by descent to J. Rashleigh (1820-1905) and E. W. Rashleigh, Sotheby Auction 21 June 1909, lot 214; P.W.P. Carlyon-Britton Collection, Sotheby auction 11 November 1918, lot 1643 (part); Dr. A.N. Brushfield Collection, Glendining Auction, 2 May 1929, lot 26 (part); G.C. Drabble Collection, Glendining Auction, 4 July 1939, lot 381; V.J.E. Ryan Collection, Glendining auction, 22 January 1952, lot 710; Spink Auction 6 December 2017, lot 23

Lyons and MacKay note just nine Four Line type Pennies of Æthelred, of which six are in institutional collections.