I first posted this coin here back in 2008. As we now have many new members who are quite knowledgeable with early British coinage, I would like to post it again to gather additional opinions/information if possible. The coin is apparently double struck on the obverse and this made reading the legends a bit difficult. It was however possible to decipher the legends as reading: " EFPRD ON CENTEE " , or, "Edward in Canterbury". It appears therefore it was minted by a moneyer named Edward (one of the king's' many moneyers) at the mint at Canterbury. As it seems, a fairly uncommon (not rare) combination of Moneyer and Mint. It is double struck on the obverse, which makes the king look a bit funny. These pictures are better (I hope) than the ones I posted in 2008. I would be grateful for any additional opinions, information or confirmation of this coins ID. Thanks!
It did have me scratching my head. LOL. You should see a "Thread Tools" link at the top right of your post. Within that, there should be an "Edit Title" link. Great coin!
PS- I rather like what the doubling did to William Edward the Confessor's face. Gives him a rather craggy appearance. Nice flan, nice toning, nice coin. Loaded with character. I'm jealous, and having seller's remorse for my old Aethelred II penny.
I think the moneyer is Alfred on Canterbury. My reading of the reverse is: +EL.RED ON CÆNTCÆ: I checked the EMC (Early medieval corpus- over 4000 coins of Edward the Confessor) and there are coins from the moneyer Alfred of Canterbury of different types, but none of the "pointed helmet type" (S1179, N825) that you have by this moneyer. Neat coin!
Thank you very much, Nap for your comment and for your reading of the reverse legend. I confess I have a really hard time trying to figure it out.... I think you are right, +EL.RED ON CÆNTCÆ, (i.e ALFRED) seems very plausible rather than Edward, as this moneyer is not known (as you point out), for the Pointed Helmet type at Canterbury. Regarding the obverse, do you agree that the coin may have been double-struck thus accounting for the odd appearance of the bust? Many thanks again for your help
Yes, the obverse is double struck, which makes the legend a little trickier to read. This is exceedinly common on these coins.
That's a really nice coin. The preservation is fantastic. The reverse is about perfect and the portrait is really nice. You guys have seen mine a million times but here he is again.
Thank you very much, aide! And thank you for posting your example as well. As you say, the overall preservation is quite good, specially the reverse - I just wish the obverse was a bit clearer. I bought this when I first started adding English coins to my collection around 2007, and was not familiar with the striking issues.
What a great penny @Eduard that is one fine Anglo-Saxon. I would love to starting collecting coins of Edward the Confessor. There was one Edward that really tempted me, but the CFO of my house, Mrs. TheRed, would not approve of spending what amounted to ahalf of a mortgage payment. I kind of think it looks like me too.
I agree, a beautiful and interesting type! A nice, well defined portrait, and small cross pattée with annulet on fourth quarter?
