Celtic, British and World Coins, Numismatic Books

Matilda (c. 1139-49), Penny, Cross Moline type, Oxford, Sweting, [SWETI]NG : ON : OXE, 1.18g/1h (Mack 234c [= SCBI Oxford 290], same obv. die; N 936; S 1326). Creased and with a small chip, otherwise nearly very fine for issue, extremely rare
£800-1,000

Mack notes ‘The coins [of Matilda] are of good silver but generally below standard weight. They are of rough work, the dies having been cut by hand instead of being made with punching irons. An exception is an Oxford penny, the reverse of which is made in the usual way with punches, the die perhaps having fallen into the [hands of the Empress] when Oxford castle surrendered to her at Easter 1141’