ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of All England. Æthelred II. 978-1016. AR Penny (19mm, 1.03 g, 3h). Last Small Cross type (BMC i, Hild. A). London mint; Ælfric, moneyer. Struck circa 1009-1016. Diademed and draped bust left / + ELFRIC MON LVИDEI, small cross pattée. Cf. Lyon, "Last Small Cross Issue of c. 1009-1017," in BNJ 68 (1998), 6.4 (for Norfolk style obverse die with London moneyer Ælfget); SCBI 50 (Hermitage), 1315-6 var. (legends; in regular London style); North 777; SCBC 1154. Lightly toned, peck. Good VF.
From the Crescent Collection.
Curiously, the obverse die on this coin is in the distinct style of the Norfolk mint, though here with a single extra line behind the bust. The reverse, however, is clearly form a different workshop, with dramatically different letterforms from that of the obverse. The presence of a Norfolk die in use with the London mint signature is indicative of the intricate movements of dies and moneyers in this period, making this coin warrant deeper consideration by scholars.