The Collection of Anglo-Saxon and Earlier Hammered Coins formed by the late Captain 'Peter' Arnot

Captain 'Peter’ Arnot

Axel John Arnot was a highly respected and knowledgeable numismatist specialising in coins of the Anglo Saxon era, and over a period of about twenty five years built up one of the finest collections of Anglo Saxon coins held in private hands. Great care was taken in putting this collection together with a number of examples being changed for ones of better quality, as and when they became available. This selection process also extended to types of moneyer and towns of origin.

Born in London in 1917, Axel Arnot excelled at school before joining The Commonwealth Bank of Australia in 1938; however his life took a sudden and more dramatic change following the outbreak of war. He joined the R.A.F. as a pilot officer early in 1940 and although too inexperienced to take part in the Battle of Britain, he quickly adapted to flying and was soon able to transfer his skills to others as a pilot instructor in Rhodesia. At that time an instructors life expectancy was not a long one but he used his abilities to escape from several close shaves and survive unscathed. It was also at about this time he adopted the nickname Peter, a name by which many people knew him, since...