Eadred Penny, portrait type, diademed bust, moneyer Saraward

Eadred (946-955),silver Penny, portrait type, moneyer Saraward, diademed and draped bust right to bottom of coin, circles and legend surrounding, commences lower left, + EADRED REX,rev. cross pattee at centre, circles and legend surrounding SARAVAR MONET, an inverted A used for V in moneyer name, weight 1.19g (BMC V, cf.118; cf.SCBI 30:362 American; N.713; S.1115).Darkly toned with a lovely portrait, one striking flaw in legend on obverse both sides, otherwise good very fine and very rare.

North lists a total of 38 moneyers for this portrait coinage.

Born around 922, Eadred succeeded his murdered elder brother in May 946 aged around 22, he was afflicted by a chronic stomach condition giving him great difficulty in swallowing food. Despite this affliction he was a competent warrior and his first action was to march north and quell Archbishop Wulfstan of York and other magnates into submission. This did not last long and King of Dublin Olaf Sihtricsson was again invited back to take York, later coming to terms with Eadred as long as he kept Eric Bloodaxe away. However, Archbishop Wulfstan supported Eric Bloodaxe arriving in 952, and Eadred was compelled to march north, culminating in the death of Eric in 954 at the Battle of Stainmore, thus permanently reuniting the Kingdom of England. Eadred died on the 23^rdNovember 955 in Frome Somerset aged around 33 and was succeeded by his nephew Eadwig.

The legends translate on obverse as "Eadred King" and reverse "Saraward Moneyer".

Provenance:

Ex Dix Noonan and Webb, Auction 132, 15^th September 2015, lot 679.