Description
Aethelstan (924-939), Penny, portrait type, Norwich Mint, moneyer Hrodgar. Draped bust facing right
extending to the outer linear circle, legend commences, + ÆÐELSTAN REX. Rev, cross patt ée at centre
within inner linear circle, legend surrounds + HRODGAR MO NORDI, 1.51g (S.1095; N.675; BMC. Type VIII;). About extremely fine, toned.
Purchased from Spink and Son : March 2002
Aethelstan born circa 895, son to Edward the Elder and Egwina, crowned 925 at Kingston upon Thames, aged at roughly thirty. In 927 he conquered the last remaining Viking kingdom, York, making him the first Anglo-Saxon ruler of the whole of England, hence his title of King of all England. He was known as a highly efficient administrator and lawmaker, equally well known for a strong and generous personality and as a patron of the arts.
Interestingly, Aethelstan improved the way in which coinage was to be produced, and tightened up the rules on mints and individual moneyers, part of his legacy was centred around consistency within the monetary Kingdom. The next time we encountered similar developments, it can be argued would be during Eadgar’s reform coinage of 973-975.
