AN EXTREMELY rare 10th century coin - found on the Isle of Wight - made £9,000 when the hammer went down at auction today (Wednesday).
The silver penny, which dates to the boy king Edward the Martyr, who ruled Saxon Britain, had a guide price of up to £7,000.
Once buyer's premium is added, its new owner must pay £11,160.
Auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb are helping raise funds for the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal. Five per cent of the coin's sale price will go to the fund.
The penny was discovered in a ploughed field, in March 2018, by a 68-year-old retired council worker using a Minelab ETrac metal detector.
The coin is said to be in a ‘remarkable condition’ and features a fine portrait of the boy king wearing a diadem and facing left.
It bears the phrase EDPEARD REX ANGLORX - Edward, King of the English.
On the reverse, is a small cross pattee in the centre and AELSTAN M’O CANT - Aelfstan moneyer of Canterbury.
Edward ruled between 975-978 A.D. and was only 13 years old when he was crowned king, after the death of his father Eadgar. Edward was assassinated at the Saxon hall where Dorset’s Corfe Castle now stands, by supporters of his half brother Aethelred.
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules here