Description
Aethelred II (978-1016), Penny, Crux type (c.991-997), Bedford mint, moneyer Oswig, 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 +OSPIG M-O BEDΛF, NE ligate in moneyers name, 1.61g (S.1148; N.770; BMC IIIa; SCBI 7 [Copenhagen], 31). Crack from 12 to 2 o’clock, the metal stable, otherwise very fine and a very rare mint town with an even more elusive moneyer in Oswig. Legends all struck up clearly, some flatness in the C and R of Crux, none of the usual peck marks with a pleasing portrait. Out of the four appearing in auction in the last twenty years for Bedford, none from this moneyer. An academic example.
Ex. Spink Numismatic Circular, April 1991, [1802] with a supporting ticket.
