History Coins
Viking
The Viking Invasion of Britain
Svend Estridsen
He was born in England 1019, his father was Ulf Thorgilsson and his mother was Estrid Svendsdatter (daughter of Sweyn Forkbeard and sister of Harald II of Denmark and Cnut). Estridsen was king of Denmark from 1047 to 1076.
Svend Estridsen, 1047-75, Silver Penny, Lund Mint, Svartbrand Moneyer
Obverse: Christ, nimbate, standing facing, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels; straight lines in nimbate; annulated pellet in right field, +MAGNAS REX
Note: This coin has obvious Byzantine influences. A vast amount of treasure was known to have come from this region and the early development of their coinage reflects this along with that of the British coinage.
Reverse: +SPARTBARND :N LVII, cross formed of diamonds, trefoils at limb ends, pellet in the centre
Grade: VF+/VF, two flan cracks and pack marks but dark patina, lovely coin for the type
17mm, 0.94g
Ref: Hauberg 28 var
Prov: Ex Alfa Numismatics, Denmark
£370 (+P&P for UK only, other locations please ask)
Svend Estridsen (Estridson) Silver Penny, Roskilde Mint, 1047-76
Obverse: Four arches with banded ends forming a cross with another central cross, central annulet containing pellet, cross has three pellets at ends. Legend in the form of simple lettering, possibly runic ,which reads +III, IIC, HC, INC
Reverse: Two rows of I separated by lines, central annulet, cross above and below, crescent and pellet in each quarter
17mm, 1.03g
Grade: AEF, well centred, dark tone, superb example
Ref: Hbg 36
£800 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations please ask) #433
Hardeknud (Harthacnut), Silver Penny, Lund Mint, Denmark, 1035-42
Obverse: Bare headed, draped bust to left with shield on left shoulder, +HARECNV
Reverse: Voided long cross, legend around indicating Lund mint
Ref: Hauberg 28
0.77g, 17mm
Grade: VF/AVF
Prov: Ex Bruun Rasmussen, previuosly owned by Danish painter and numismatist Poul Hjelmer in 40's.
£850 SOLD
Viking Kings of England, Cnut, Silver Penny, Pointed Helmet Type, London, 1023-1029
Obverse: +CNVT RECX A:, bust facing left wearing pointed helmet and holding sceptre in front
Reverse: Small voided cross, limbs united at base by two circles; in centre a pellet, in each angle an broken annulet enclosing a pellet, legend +LEOFPOLD ON LVN (Leofwold moneyer at London)
18mm, 0.99g
Grade: Extremely fine/very fine+, old ticket
Ref: S1158, N787
£385 SOLD #127
Viking York
When the Vikings came to York they changed the Anglo-Saxon name Eoforwic to 'Jorvik' and during their hundred year stay, they turned it into a thriving trading post. Ivar the Boneless took York in 866. In 954 the last Viking king, Eric Bloodaxe, was expelled from York and it was re-absorbed into Anglo-Saxon England. The coinage varied widely with influences from the Christian church as well as the English kings and Scandinavian imagery.
Southern Danelaw, Two Line Penny Fragment
Obverse: [--] FR ED RE, small cross pattee
Reverse: LVCH ANDIF in two line (partly retrograde)
0.97g, 20mm
Ref:S 966, N475/1, moneyer uncertain
Grade: A large fragment, broken and repaired.
Prov: Ex DNW
£660 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations please ask)
Examples of Viking artefacts for sale on partner site at the Hoard (their terms). Image Copyright 'The Hoard' 2022
Raids on British soil began in the late 8th century, the first monastery to be invaded was in 793 on Lindisfarne. The men from the North were primarily interested in gold and other precious objects; there was no point attacking ordinary folk, they had little to offer, for the moment. This changed later, as slaves and land became their intent. Skirmishes continued until 1013, then Sweyn Forkbeard returned to invade England in earnest, with a large army. Aethelred, the king at the time, fearing for his life, he fled to France and Forkbeard took the throne of England. The last raid took place in 1066.
Viking, was never a term the Norsemen called themselves, it was Old Norse meaning 'adventure and trade.' It was first used in the English vocabulary in the 18th century and just meant 'a Scandinavian'.
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