Hiberno Norse Phase III - hands and pellets


at 400 dots / inch

 


Irish Coinage

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Detail Image

© 2002 - Copyright
John
_ Stafford-Langan
Version 1.10
15th August, 2002

 

This coin is a Hiberno Norse penny from Dublin. It is a Phase III coin. That means that it was struck between about 1035 and 1060 AD.

Phase III coins are all based on the Long Cross type of Aethelred II of England .The coins after about 1035 have unintelligible legends made up of meaningless symbols but which have the initial appearance of lettering.

Phase III coins usually have devices in the reverse quarters. The most common devices are two crude hands like the ones above. This example also has large pellets in the other quarters which is a less common combination.

This example is in Extremely Fine (EF) condition and is well struck.

It has some traces of very old verdegris. The verdegris on coins like this is usually an indication that the silver is not particularly pure which is what one should expect from later Hiberno Norse pieces. Verdegris does detract from the value of these coins - especially if it is extensive. It cannot be removed as it will leave a pitted and porous surface behind which is even less attractive.

Hiberno Norse phase III coins are the most common coins of the Hiberno Norse series but they are still quite scarce.

Many surviving examples are in quite high grades so it is quite easy to find an Extremely Fine (EF) example (often easier than finding an example in only Fine (F) condition !). The average condition these pieces turn up in is Good Very Fine (GVF) . Specimens with good a strike, attractive toning and original mint lustre are scarcer.

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