Harold I Penny, Jewel Cross type, Buckingham, Brihtwine, ext rare, ex Collection of an English Doctor

Harold I (1035-40),silver Penny, jewel cross type (c.1036-38), Buckingham Mint, Moneyer Brihtwine, diademed bust left, legend and toothed border surrounding, commencing upper left, HARO LD REX,rev.pellet at centre of lobed cross, two inner linear circles unite lobes at centre, legend and toothed border surrounding, +BRIHTPINE ON BV, the NB ligatured, weight 1.06g (SCBI Copenhagen 18:17; BMC type I; Parsons 42; N.802; S.1163).Toned, good very fine and extremely rare Mint, this being the only example of the Harold I Penny of this mint available to a collector, there are three others in museum collections.

The abbreviated legends translate as on the obverse "King Harold" and on reverse the moneyer "Brihtwine of Buckingham." According to North Buckingham operated with only two moneyers in this reign through two types, though the mint became first apparent in the reign of Edgar under moneyer Tunulf who continues operation through the reign of Edward the Martyr and into the CRVX and long cross issues of Aethelred II. The mint continues operating through the three types of Canute under moneyer Leofric and through Harold I and Harthacanute under moneyers Brihtwine and Leofric, the latter then continuing on into the reign of Edward the Confessor through four types and with new moneyers for the subsequent two types ending on hammer cross type.

The Parsons reference his "Coins of Harold I" by H. Alexander Parsons, British Numismatic Journal volume 15, 1919. This coin is only one of two Buckingham Mint pieces listed, the other being fleur de lis type of moneyer Leofwine.

Harold Harefoot was apparently the younger of two sons Canute had with Aelfgifu, before marrying the Emma the widow of Aethlered II and having Harthacanute by her. His older brother Swein was sent to rule Norway until being expelled in 1034 and pre-deceased his Father in Denmark at the end of the year. On Canute's death the men of Mercia and Northumbria therefore chose Harold as the next ruler. Meanwhile Queen Emma in Winchester with the King's bodyguard and treasure supported her son Harthacanute who was still in Denmark, as did Godwin of Wessex, and claims of illegitimacy towards Harold became rife. War was avoided by Harthacanute's absence, but did not bode well for his cause, his half-brother Alfred later attempting to visit his mother at Winchester, being treacherously captured at Guildford by Godwin and handed over to Harold, who had him fatally blinded and sent to perish in Ely. Wessex accepted Harold as King by 1037 and Emma fled to Normandy, and though watchful of invasion by Harthacanute nothing ever came, remaining peaceful until his death in his early twenties on 17^th March 1040. He was nicknamed "Harefoot" on account of his sporting ability and was buried in Westminster. On arrival Harthacanute had him dug up and thrown in a marsh, but secretive supporters recovered his body and had him interred elsewhere in London.

Buckingham situated on the River Ouse in 17 miles north of Aylesbury and mentioned in the Burghal Hidage. Edward the Elder marched there in 914 and built forts on either side of the river. The Danes later reached the town in 1010 and ravaged it. Minting activity occurs here from the reign of Edgar until Edward the Confessor.

Provenance:

Ex Classical Numismatic Group webshop, December 2020.

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