Kings of Wessex, Edward the Elder Penny, retrograde reverse, Danelaw imitation

Edward the Elder (899-924),silver Penny, portrait type, cruder style Anglo-Viking issue, retrograde Moneyer Heioerone, crude draped diademed bust left, legend and linear circles surrounding, +EADVVEAD RE+,rev.three cross pattees across centre, tri-pellet above and below, extra pellet each side of lower tri-pellet, Moneyer name retrograde in two lines, IIEIOER / OIIEIIA, the first O with pellet in centre, final A unbarred, weight 1.32g (CTCE -; N.651; S.1086).Toned, flan a little undulating and rippled, very fine for issue on a broad flan.

The obverse legend translates as "Edward King" and the reverse "Heioerone moneyer". A similar reading is mentioned as one of the blundered legends in North.

Edward the Elder born circa 871 was the elder of the sons of Alfred the Great and was already in charge of part of the army by the age of 21, and probably acted as his Father's deputy in continued skirmishes as late as 896 and was the natural choice to succeed him in 899 as full Ruler of Wessex and Mercia. From 917 a further annexation program commenced as Edward started to take over the "Five Boroughs" of the Danelaw and East Anglia. He then remained unchallenged of an enlarged England until his death on 17th July 924 aged around 53, leaving a large family of at least ten daughters and five sons by three wives.

Provenance:

Ex Ormonde Coins, Ireland, 2015.