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Tyrants of the Thames
13
SILVER PENNY (886 AD)
Alfred the Great, King of Wessex, 871-899 AD
Diademed “Roman style” portrait facing right; reverse, LONDONIA monogram. Rare. King Alfred
invaded and captured the capital city, London, in the year 886 and it was long believed that this coin was
struck to commemorate that victory, but more likely it was made prior to his attack on the city in order
to intimidate his enemies. An unusually choice and well-detailed example of this famous king’s most
striking coin, possessing a crisply detailed and unflawed portrait as well as a beautiful multi-hued gray
patina. Most known examples have an advanced die-flaw through the king’s portrait, but not this one!
One of the great treasures of the Tyrant Collection.
S-1061. N-644. PCGS-graded MS62.
14
SILVER PENNY (899-924 AD)
Edward the Elder, King of Wessex, 899-924 AD
East Anglian Mint. Diademed portrait facing left, of crude style, contained by inner circle; reverse, 2-line
moneyer name blundered. Rare. A beautiful and very choice example of this issue, on a full broad flan
of good metal, sharply struck on both sides with almost complete rim beading, still lustrous and having
delightful light golden gray patina. A special coin.
S-1086, N-651. PCGS-graded MS62.
15
SILVER PENNY (924/5-939 AD)
Aethelstan, King of all England, 924/5-939 AD
Norwich mint, moneyer Hrodgar. Crowned portrait facing right; reverse, small central cross. Rare. Well
struck on a broad flan, ancient encrustations on golden gray patina.
S-1095. N-675. PCGS-graded AU58.