History Coins
Harthacnut King of England
Harthacnut was the son of Cnut (the Great) and Emma of Normandy, he became king of England after the death of his half-brother Harold Harefoot (Harold I) [fleet of foot]. He ascended to the throne in 1040 AD but only lasted two years. He was already king of Denmark from 1035.
Records say that he was suffering from tuberculosis even before he came to England and he probably knew he didn't have long to live. Whilst attending a wedding, it is recorded, that he drank too much wine and collapsed and died, probably from a stroke. With his sudden death in Lambeth, London in 1042, he became the last Dane to rule England.
The coins of Harthacnut, issued in Denmark, are also for sale; these are even more fascinating in some ways. Visit the page.
Harthacnut, 1035-1042, Penny, Arm and Sceptre Type, In Name of Cnut, London, Eadwold
Obverse: Diademed bust, left, with sceptre in left hand, forearm visible across bust, legend CNUT RECX AN (or similar)
Reverse: Over voided short cross, quadrilateral with pellet at each angle and in the centre, EADWOLD ON LVND (or similar)
Ref: N 799, S 1169 - RARE
19mm, 0.95g
Prov: Ex Bruun Rasmussen
£1,600 SOLD
Harthacnut, 1035-1042, Penny, Arm and Sceptre Type, In Name of Cnut, Thetford, Tidraed
Obverse: Diademed bust, left, with sceptre in left hand, legend CNUT REX (or similar)
Reverse: Over voided short cross, quadrilateral with pellet at each angle and in the centre, TIDRED ON DEOTV (or similar)
Ref: N 799, S 1169 - RARE, reverse slightly double struck
19mm, 1.2g
Prov: Ex Royal Mint Distributor, previously DNW, prior to that Baldwin's
£890 SOLD
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