ANGLO-SAXON, Substantive Gold Phase. Circa 630-650. AV Thrymsa (13mm, 1.28 g). 'York' group. Figure standing facing, holding cross in each hand / Voided cross with central lozenge in inner circle; in margin, Runic D at each cross terminal, small cross pommees in angles. Sutherland –; A&W –; Naylor & Allen fig. 2 = EMC 2012.0025 (this coin). cf. SCBI 63 (BM), 17; cf. North 27/1; cf. SCBC 762A. Good VF, some light scuffs, well struck and full. Extremely rare.
From the Dr. Andrew Wayne Collection. Ex Dix Noonan Webb 101 (21 June 2012), lot 555. Found near Harrogate, North Yorkshire (PAS SWYOR-62B752).
This remarkable coin, struck during the period of the great Christian mission to convert the heathen Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, is unusually detailed compared to other examples of the very rare York group, and represents an early bishop proclaiming the power of the Cross