Description
Aethelred II (978-1016), Penny, Small Crux type (c.995-997) London mint, moneyer Swetinc, inner linear circles both sides, bare headed bust left, in front long trefoil tipped sceptre cutting into the drapery, struck on a smaller module flan, legend surrounds +ÆĐELRÆD REX ΛNGLOX. Rev, short cross voided with CRVX in angles, additional pellets behind the C and R, reading +SPETINC M-O LVN, 19mm, 1.33g (S.1149; N.770 var; BMC IIIa; SCBI II [University collection Reading & Royal Cabinet Stockholm], 67; SCBI 7 [Copenhagen], 937-39).
Light granite grey toning with amber mint undertones, legends both sides quickly legible in this closely packed type, few peckmarks. Portrait softly struck, nevertheless all the key areas well detailed An increasingly popular variation the small module Crux mainly appearing in Exeter, Lincoln, London, East Anglia and Kent. Good very fine, scarce, the mildest wave to flan.
