Description
Aethelred II (978-1016), Penny, Crux type (c.991-997), London mint, moneyer Oscytel, inner linear circles both sides, bare headed bust left, in front trefoil tipped sceptre, legend surrounds +ÆĐELRÆD REX ΛNGLOX, the NG ligate. Rev, short cross voided with CRVX in angles, reading +OSCYTEL M-O LVND, 1.49g (S.1148; N.770; BMC IIIa; SCBI 25 [Helsinki], 79). Maroon brown cabinet tone with hints of underlying mint lustre, obverse struck potentially with worn dies, free from peckmarks. Reverse, superb with an uninterrupted and fluent moneyer mint script. Bold good very fine, reverse better.
Ex Baldwin’s Basement with a ticket in the hand of Peter Mitchell
Oscytel when traced back to its root spelling would be Asketill. A moneyer known for Cambridge, Chester, Exeter Lincoln, London, Oxford, Stamford, Thetford and Wilton. Spellings vary from Oscytel, Acil, Ascil within various reigns. (see, SCBI 41, p 40, ‘Cumulative Index volumes 21-40’ Dr V. Smart).
