British Coins and Tokens

Cnut (1016-1035), Penny, Short Cross type, Malmesbury, Hunna, cnv’t .r.ecx, rev. hvnna on mael’m, 1.05g/9h (BEH 2893 var.; N 790; S 1159). Minute perforation before initial cross in obverse legend, otherwise very fine; the mint signature clear, extremely rare £1,000-£1,500

found near Mitcheldean (Gloucestershire) in June 2023 (EMC 2023.0266)

Struck from the same obverse die as the Conte specimen (CNG 60, 2241).

The mint at Malmesbury is first attested during Eadgar’s pre-reform coinage, with production continuing intermittently into the reign of Henry I. Throughout this period the mint’s output was limited, a point well-illustrated by the holdings of the Royal Collection in Copenhagen, as published in the SCBI series. The period between the accession of Æthelred II and the death of Cnut (978-1035) is represented by some 5,660 coins, of which only 9 carry a Malmesbury mint signature. This appears to be only the second Short Cross type penny of Malmesbury in private hands, the other piece forming part of the Conte cabinet, last sold some two decades ago.