Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 133 31 Jan - 1 Feb 2023
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Great Britain. ANGLO-SAXON, Danish East Anglia ("Danelaw"). Coin weight. Late 9th century. Circular lead weight with inset coin (24.01 g with coin). Coin is an AR Penny of Alfred the Great (871-899): first coinage, lunette type, circa 871-875; Canterbury mint, moneyer Eadulf (SCBC -; cf. BMC 187 [for moneyer on cross-and-lozenge type]; North 625; SCBC 1057). Cf. G. Williams, "Anglo-Saxon and Viking Coin Weights," BNJ 69 (1999), 21. For weight: Good condition, tan and brown patina, small area chipped off edge; for coin: toned, slight roughness to reverse. Very rare, and an unrecorded moneyer for Alfred's lunette coinage. Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - UP
Williams' analysis of the known weights of this type clearly places them in the Danelaw during the later 9th century, when the Viking economy was still bullion-based, and weights were used for weighing both coinage and bullion. As with many of the known examples, this particular weight, at 24.01 g, is equivalent to a Viking ounce (eyrir) of 24-26.6 g. The purpose of the coins set into one end of these weights is uncertain, but Williams argues that they served as a symbol of authority. Although the Viking economy was still pre-monetary, Williams notes that the Vikings were familiar with coinage and likely recognized that their designs were a symbol of authority. He also suggests that the Vikings were probably familiar with the Anglo-Saxon weights, which were validated by being stamped with official dies, and argues that the lack of coin dies for validating their own weights was remedied by applying a coin within each. Williams points out that the fact that the coins were issued by Anglo-Saxon kings was irrelevant, as the vast majority of the Vikings were illiterate.
Ex CNG 70 Sept 21, 2005, lot 1249 Ex The David Karpeles Collection.
Williams' analysis of the known weights of this type clearly places them in the Danelaw during the later 9th century, when the Viking economy was still bullion-based, and weights were used for weighing both coinage and bullion. As with many of the known examples, this particular weight, at 24.01 g, is equivalent to a Viking ounce (eyrir) of 24-26.6 g. The purpose of the coins set into one end of these weights is uncertain, but Williams argues that they served as a symbol of authority. Although the Viking economy was still pre-monetary, Williams notes that the Vikings were familiar with coinage and likely recognized that their designs were a symbol of authority. He also suggests that the Vikings were probably familiar with the Anglo-Saxon weights, which were validated by being stamped with official dies, and argues that the lack of coin dies for validating their own weights was remedied by applying a coin within each. Williams points out that the fact that the coins were issued by Anglo-Saxon kings was irrelevant, as the vast majority of the Vikings were illiterate.
Ex CNG 70 Sept 21, 2005, lot 1249 Ex The David Karpeles Collection.