Offered is a very unusual cut hammered Halfpenny, issued in the name of Sihtric Silkbead (also sometimes written as Sigtrygg) as King of Dublin, being a phase III piece dating from approximately 1030-60AD, SP#6132. Being the first truly domestic issue of this entitity, designs were borrowed heavily from the Anglo-Saxon ‘Long Cross’ coinages of Aethelred II and Cnut, but bearing heavily blundered inscriptions, and more substantial variations on the basic reverse design. Sihtric was of Norse descent, and presided over what was a largely prosperous, albeit violent reign, eventually abdicating in 1036 after a 46-year rule. He died peacefully at 72 in 1042. This example fully identifyable (partly owing to the ditinct inscription bookends and reverse variant) and in lovely condition, although split in the middle (here mated along the clean break). A very affordable cut half example of a rare type.
Offered is a very unusual cut hammered Halfpenny, issued in the name of Sihtric Silkbead (also sometimes written as Sigtrygg) as King of Dublin, being a phase III piece dating from approximately 1030-60AD, SP#6132. Being the first truly domestic issue of this entitity, designs were borrowed heavily from the Anglo-Saxon ‘Long Cross’ coinages of Aethelred II and Cnut, but bearing heavily blundered inscriptions, and more substantial variations on the basic reverse design. Sihtric was of Norse descent, and presided over what was a largely prosperous, albeit violent reign, eventually abdicating in 1036 after a 46-year rule. He died peacefully at 72 in 1042. This example fully identifyable (partly owing to the ditinct inscription bookends and reverse variant) and in lovely condition, although split in the middle (here mated along the clean break). A very affordable cut half example of a rare type.
