Coins and Historical Medals

Edward the Confessor (1042-1066), Penny, Quadrilateral type, London, Goldsige, goltsve on lvnd, wireline halo around the bust, 1.11g/12h (Freeman 523; SCBI Ashmolean 781; N 817; S 1174). Almost invisible edge split, otherwise good very fine, attractively toned £300-£400

The apparent ‘halo’ appearing on the obverse of this coin can be explained as a simple engraving error. The responsible engraver begun to prepare the surface of the die, as if it was a reverse, scribing of the guide line intended for the inner circle. The die-sinker soon realised his error as the tool was subsequently elaborated and became an obverse die. Such errors are encountered in the English medieval series (cf Lessen SNC June 2006), but are more rarely seen within the Anglo Saxon coinage.