(x) Aethelred II (978-1016), Penny, 1.53g, First Hand type, left-facing bust variety, Lympne, Leofric, + æÐelred rex anglox, the x runic, diademed and draped bust left, within solid inner circle, rev. + leofric mo lima, hand dividing alpha and omega (Dolly BNJ 1966, p.191 (same dies); N.767; S.1145), very fine, a very rare type and extremely so for this mint.
Provenance:
LaRiviere, Spink auction 160, 9-10 October 2002, lot 1008
DNW, 4 October 2001, lot 170
The LaRiviere catalogue notes that of the 32 First Hand Pennies of Aethelred II with left facing bust now recorded, only three are of the mint of Lympne. The die duplicate of Leofric, recorded by Dolley, is in the Royal Swedish coin Cabinet, and a fragment by the moneyer Leofwine is in the British Museum.
Estimate: £2,000 - £2,500