Stephen Penny, Cross Pommee (Awbridge) type, Salisbury Mint, Stanung

Stephen (1135-54), silver Penny, Awbridge type (c.1154-58), Salisbury Mint, moneyer Stanung, half facing crowned bust with arm and sceptre to left, linear circle and legend surrounding, legend at commences 8 o'clock, +STIEFN E:--, rev. voided cross pommée within almost circular voided quatrefoil, lis in each inner angle, pellet in each cusp, beaded circle and legend surrounding, +STAN--: -N: SAL, weight 1.42g (BMC type 7; SCBI 16:312; Mack 122a; N.881; S.1282). Toned, well centred with a better clearer strike than usual, just one part of legend weak, otherwise very fine for issue and rare, with a long provenance.

The legends translate as "Stephen King" on obverse and "Staning of Salisbury" on the reverse.

North records only this moneyer Stanung and one other working at Salisbury for Stephen.

The reign of Stephen is perhaps one of the most interesting numismatically as England descends towards Civil War in the latter part of the reign, with an increasing volume in types of coinage with many poorly struck as allegiances to the King, the Empress or the various noblemen wax and wane.

Salisbury in Wiltshire is situated 23 miles west of Winchester at the junction of the Rivers Avon, Wylye, Nadder and Bourne. First known around the year 520 as a British fortress for the West Saxon King Cerdic the Saxon name was Searobyrg. The first known minting activity occurs here after the sacking of Wilton in 1003 when the moneyers from there transfer across and there are die links in Canute's coinage with Wilton and London and later in the reign of William I with Cricklade, Marlborough and Wilton. Wilton reopened for minting around 1020 but Salisbury continued to flourish. In 1076 the ancient See of Sherborne was translated to Salisbury and coining activity continues into the "Tealby" cross and crosslets coinage of King Henry II (1154-89).

Provenance:

Ex Captain Richard John Hardy Douglas collection sold privately 1912.

Ex Major P. W. P. Carlyon-Britton, part 2, Sotheby, 20-24^th November 1916, lot 1476.

Ex H. A. Parsons, part II, Glendining, 11-13^th May 1954, lot 258.

Ex Mrs E. M. H. Norweb, part 4, Spink Coin auction 59, 17^th June 1987, lot 1285.

Ex Dix Noonan and Webb, Auction 119, 4^th December 2013, lot 2171.