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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Loong Siew, post: 2875667, member: 75799&quot;]The Vikings.</p><p><br /></p><p>Cnut of Northumbria (900-903)</p><p><br /></p><p>Cunetti type. Toned extremely fine.</p><p><br /></p><p>Obv: CNVT REX surrounding a Patriarch cross.</p><p>Rev: CVNNETTI surrounding a cross and pellets.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Vikings require little introduction as they form an undeniable cultural and romantic force through much of Northern Europe during the viking age from the 8th to 11th century. Spurred by navigational technology and their dominance on the Baltic Sea, the Viking had expanded their influence through trade and conquest for centuries. The British Isles in particular was a favorite target where their expansion even saw the reigns of 2 Viking monarchs claiming the throne of England namely Svweyn Forkbeard and Cnut the Great.</p><p><br /></p><p>Prior to a formal reign, England was met by recurring invasions by the Vikings from Norway during the 10th century.&nbsp; They even established a local settlement in what is now York, East Britain. One such is the coin in this post.</p><p><br /></p><p>In 1840 a hoard of over 8,000 items (known as the Cuerdale Hoard) was found in Cuerdale, Lancashire, England. Around 3,000 Northumbrian silver coins bearing the inscription CNVT REX (King Cnut) were found as part of this hoard, indicating the existence of a previously unknown Viking King of Northumbria. Not to be confused with Cnut the Great, this Cnut was not mentioned on official records leading many theories as to his identity beyond numismatic evidence.&nbsp; Most concur though that he is probably a minor king among the Vikings who settled there.</p><p><br /></p><p>This coin is one of the identified types bearing the Cunetti inscription imitating the local Christian design. Though haven&#039;t been fully christianized, the Vikings felt it was expedient to adopt local iconography in their coinage probably for trade. Another theory was probable encroachment of Christian influence although there is little evidence to suggest that this Cnut or the Vikings embraced the faith.&nbsp; Nonetheless the design of this coin does show at least and understanding of Christian customs such as the adoption of the patriarch cross and the fact that CNVT was spelled top, down, right, left and REX in a clockwise direction -- simulating a Christian blessing.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]688243[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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