Description
Canute (1016-35), Penny, Helmet type (c.1024-1030), Stamford mint, moneyer Morulf, pointed helmet bust left with sceptre in front, legend surrounding at 1 o’clock, CNVT RECX ΛN, the XA ligate. Rev, short voided cross with pellet and annulet centre, pellet in annulet in each angle, all within linear circle, reads +MORVL•F ON STΛNF, 18mm, 0.95g (S.1158; N.787; BMC XIV; SCBI 2 [Hunterian], 922). Rich grey toning, hints of almond-yellow lustre in parts of the field, portrait under closer inspection well struck up, few die breaks and one die block in the triangular section under Kings shoulder. Reverse, nicely executed, legends clear in the main, few peckmarks. Good very fine with a rarer moneyer in Morulf, seldom seen.
On the moneyer. Morulf a dedicated Stamford moneyer, derived from the root name in continental Germanic also expressed as Maurulf. Presenting on coins with the following spellings; MOROLF/ MORVLF/ NONVLF/ MOR[ ] on all three of the main Canute types. In today’s society perhaps the name Maruf is the closest match on the original moneyers name, which translates to ‘good, well known, acceptable’ an Arabic boys name expressed as ماروف i.
