Canute Penny, Helmet type, Norwich, Leofric, ex Duke of Argyll and Doubleday

Canute (1016-35), silver helmet type Penny (1024-30), Norwich Mint, Moneyer Leofric, helmeted bust left with sceptre, legend surrounding commencing at top, CNVT R GLORV:, rev. pellet in double annulet at centre of voided short cross, broken annulet enclosing pellet in each angle, linear circles and legend surrounding, +L.E.OFRIC .ON NOR.:, the N of ON a little blundered, weight 1.04g (SCBI Copenhagen 15:3182; BMC type XIV; N.787; S.1158). Toned, two dark streaks at upper left of obverse otherwise very fine with an interesting obverse reading.

The legends translate as "Canute King of the "Glish"" on obverse and on the reverse "Leofric of Norwich."

Despite Canute being essentially a Viking King from overseas, the coinages of England continued in a similar vein to those of Aethelred II, in that the types changed every six years, meaning there are three main types for this reign, of which the quatrefoil type was the first. According to North there were up to 74 mints in operation with perhaps four other enigmatic places that remain uncertain. Norwich operated with up to 21 moneyers in this reign through all five types.

Canute could have been as young as 21 when he ascended the English throne after the 28^th November 1016 upon the death of Edmund "Ironside" at Oxford. Though Edmund son of Aethelred II had a younger brother and two infant sons his advisers recognized Canute as successor. Though his birth date is not known, Canute was a commander in his Father's army from 1012, and at first had to settle a number of uprisings amongst the nobility and others, which he quelled by maintaining a large army and navy from heavy taxation. He kept Wessex at first for himself whilst dividing up other areas for regional government under trusted Danish allies. Canute had married Aelfgifu daughter of Ealdorman Aelfhelm of Northumbria, but set her aside to marry Aethelred's widow Emma in 1017 who had fled to Normandy, and this latter union helped maintain the political continuity and tradition of English Kingship. Harald of Denmark died childless in 1018 and Canute used his English troops and finance to extend power to Scandanvia making his infant son Harthacanute titular Governor and heir of Denmark. Canute attempted to invade Sweden, and actually took Norway in 1028 having had a pilgrimage to Rome the year before. Canute left his eldest son by Aelfgifu, Swein to rule Norway and was now the most powerful King of England ever at this time and is likely when the apocryphal story of him trying to vainly order the coastal tide to turn and retreat in front of his courtiers emerged. However, Norway was lost by 1034, Canute did not respond, and he passed away suddenly at Shaftesbury in his mid-forties on the 12^th November 1035.

Norwich is situated 100 miles north north east of London in East Anglia on the River Tud near the junction with the River Yare. In 1004 it was sacked and burnt by the Danish Swein, but resisted a much later attack in 1069. The Norman knight Roger Bigod Earl of East Anglia siezed the castle in 1087 and later in 1136 during the anarchy the castle was again seized by his descendent Hugh Bigod. The holy See of the Bishop of East Anglia was transferred there from Thetford in 1094/5 he having minting rights with one moneyer at Norwich. Minting activity occurs here from the reign of Aethelstan until Henry III, except for the reign of Eadwig.

Provenance:

Ex Duke of Argyll Collection (d.1949), purchased by Spink 1952.

EX Gordon V. Doubleday Collection of Anglo-Saxon Coins, Glendining, 6^th October 1987, lot 395.

Ex Collection of an English Doctor part II, Sovereign Rarities fixed price list online May 2022.