Summary
Silver coin; Denomination, Penny
London Mint
King Alfred the Great (871 - 899) of Wessex
Alfred (the Great), the youngest of four sons of Aethelwulf succeeded to the throne of Wessex after his brother Aethelred died after fighting the Danes at the battle of Merton, 22 March 871. Under his rule, Alfred restructured Wessex creating a defense in depth against Danish incursion and developing its naval strength. There were significant Danish attacks from 876, which eventually saw Alfred defeat the Danish king, Guthrum and force him to convert to Christianity, and from 885 during which he captured and re-built London. Alfred died on 26 October 899 and was succeeded by his son Edward the Elder.
Obverse Description
Bust facing right, the base extends to the edge of the coin; around, 'AELFRED REX'.
Reverse Description
Monogram of Londonia.
Edge Description
Plain.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Seaby, B.A. Ltd., 15 Mar 1976
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Acknowledgement
Purchased, Felton Bequest, 1932
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Date Issued
circa 886 AD
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Issued By
King Alfred the Great, London, Wessex, England, Great Britain
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Mint
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Silver
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
19 mm (Outside Diameter), 1.515 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
Note: Gareth Williams of the British Museum examined this coin in October 1998 and wondered if it was a Viking imitation (see North 463)
[Book] North, J. J. 1963. English Hammered Coinage., p.88 no.644 Pages
[Book] Skingley, Philip. 2007. Coins of England and the United Kingdom., p.119, no.1061 Pages