The Braintree Hoard of Late Anglo-Saxon Pennies

Edward the Confessor (1042-1066), Facing Bust type [BMC XIII; BEH Ac; N 830; S 1183], Penny, Thetford, Atsurr, eadred renxa, rev. +azara on ðetfo, 1.03g/6h (Bt 24, this coin; Carson –; Freeman 39; BMC –). A little striking weakness, otherwise good very fine and lightly patinated; the reverse reading irregular and rare £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Braintree Hoard of Late Anglo-Saxon Pennies.

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The obverse die used to strike this coin was also paired with a reverse die employing the more regular reverse reading atser on deffor (SCBI Ashmolean 1043; SCBI South Eastern Museum 1629; E. Bohr lot 118).

The large majority of Facing Bust obverse dies share a uniformity of style indicative of centralised production in single workshop. Thetford moneyers (including Atsurr, Godric and Sumarlithi) made use of obverse dies from an alternative source, distinguished by their broad face and simplified drapery. Obverse dies of a similar appearance were also used at the mints of Rochester (SCBI Fitzwilliam 948), York (SCBI Fitzwilliam 958, ect.) and Lincoln (Mossop LXXVIII, 28, etc.).