© Spink and Son
© Spink and Son
Penny anonymous DND DS REX / MIRΛBILΛ FECIT
| Silver | 1.41 g | - |
| Issuer | Viking Kingdom of York (Kingdoms of British Isles and Frisia) |
|---|---|
| King | Siefred (895-900) Cnut (900-905) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 895-905 |
| Value | 1 Penny (1⁄240) |
| Currency | Pound |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 1.41 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#311610 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Small cross pattée within inner circle with pellets in two angles, legend around.
Script: Latin
Lettering: + MIRΛBILΛ FECIT
Translation: He has worked wonders.
Comment
Anglo-Saxon Middle Period (c.780-973), Anglo-Viking Coinages (885-954), Coinages of the Viking Kingdom of York (c.895-920)Siefred (Sigeferth) is recorded as being a pirate in Northumbria around 893 and seems to have assumed control after Guthfrith’s death in 895.
Some 3,000 silver pennies bearing Cnut's name were in the Cuerdale hoard, found near Preston, Lancashire in 1840. The date suggested for the burial of this hoard is c. 905, soon after the Vikings were expelled from Dublin. Who Cnut was and where he reigned are matters of conjecture.
L.&S. VIa
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features a unique blend of Viking and Christian imagery. The obverse (front) side of the coin bears the inscription "DND DS REX" which means "King of the Danes" in Old Norse, while the reverse (back) side features a cross and the inscription "MIRΛBILΛ FECIT" which means "Mirabilis made it" in Latin. This blending of pagan Viking and Christian symbols reflects the cultural and religious influences present in the Viking Kingdom of York during the 9th century.
