Description
Edward the Confessor (1042-1066), Penny, Expanding cross type, Heavy issue (1052-1053). Winchester mint, (bust D), moneyer Godwine Ceoca, bust facing left holding sceptre tipped with four pellets, legend reads +EDPARD REX. Rev, short cross voided with expanded limbs joined at the base by two circles, legend surrounds +GODPIN CE ON PINC, 1.64g (S.1177; N.823; BMC.V).
An evenly toned imposing example of the heavy issue Expanding cross, in the hand feeling immediately different to the light issue by weight and flan diameter. The portrait and bust well struck up, legends showing some flatness. Reverse, the short cross motif clear with a few die flaws running in from the outer edges to centre; legends again clear in the main, with some clashes. The first part of moneyer reads as Godwin, the CE soft, with the lower serif of the E joining at an angle the inner linear circle which encases the cross design, under a loupe the last section reading ON and P[–}C, some of the letters clashed and ligate. Very fine, portrait better, some weakness in outer legends. Rare in the doubled barrel moneyer. A scarcer type to obtain in the series, highly collectible.
cf., Spink offered an example of the same weight, dies and moneyer mint inscription on the 6th October 2011, Auction 11023, lot 34. Their example had a stronger reverse and our example arguably has the stronger obverse, nevertheless analogous in several aspects. It hammered at £340 [inclusive of premium £422].
