DNW – Coins and Historical Medals – 9 February
DNW - Coins and Historical Medals
DNW held an auction of coins and historical medals on 9 February 2021. You can view the full auction catalogue and bid here. Included in the auction are two named collections:
Barry Woodside
In an obituary written by Stan Woodside, he says of Barry “His greatest interest was numismatics, particularly Irish tokens, which began in the early 1980s. I once asked why the interest in these silly bits of metal, and he explained that it was through tokens that he learned about Irish social history and geography. Any trip with him back home to Ireland would invariably be accompanied by a cry of “I’ve got a token from here”
Richard Plant
The Reverend Richard J Plant was a fellow Yorkshireman and writer on coins. He focused on making connections to the history, myths, places, objects and people on them. His writing career began in 1965, with an article for Seaby’s Coin & Medal Bulletin. He went on to write Greek Coin Types and Their Identification (1979), Roman Base Metal Coins (2000) and Roman Silver Coins (2005). Fittingly, his last substantial book was A Numismatic Journey Through the Bible (2007).
Highlighted Lot
Lot 118, Stephen, Penny
This penny of Stephen was found at Skelton, North Yorkshire in 2019.
The obverse legend reads HENRICVS EPC and the reverse STEPHENVS REX.
The coin was issued by Henry Murdac as Archbishop of York. Murdac’s appointment as Archbishop of York was to follow a troubled path. He was installed as the new archbishop in 1147 by Pope Eugene III. However, Stephen refused to recognise him. In 1149 Murdac met with King David I of Scotland to offer support for his invasion of the north of England with the hope that he would install Murdac in York. David’s plan to invade Yorkshire was abandoned and in 1151, Stephen finally recognised him as Archbishop.
Estimate: £10,000 – £15,000
Hammer: £18,000
Selected lots
Below are my other picks from the auction, with their hammer price. Some of these are detecting finds. In addition to the hammer price, there is a Buyer’s Premium of 20%.
Click an image to enlarge
Lot 30, Stephen Penny
On the reverse is a cross moline, and the legend SPEIN ON SNOT giving the moneyer as Swein and the mint as Nottingham.
Estimate: £400 – £500
Hammer: £1,100
Lot 59, James 1 Crown
The crescent mint mark is scarce
Estimate: £400 – £500
Hammer: £750
Lot 79, Charles 1 Shilling
Lion mint mark. EBOR, for York mint, on the reverse
Estimate: £400 – £500
Hammer: £650
Lot 110, Iron Age, Penannular Ring
Found near East Harling (Norfolk) in 1976
Estimate: £500 – £700
Hammer: £950
Lot 119, Stephen Penny, Prince Henry Penny
The coin bears the legend N ENCI V CON (“Henry Count”). Henry was the son and heir of King David I of Scotland. Following a treaty between David and King Stephen, Henry became Earl of Northumberland and offered fealty to Stephen. Therefore, by the way of issue it is English but due to Henry’s heirdom it is classified as a Scottish issue.
Found in Northumberland in October 2020. Detecting finds of Prince Henry coinage are rare.
Estimate: £6,000 – £8,000
Unsold
Lot 149, Charles I Halfcrown
Tower mint, harp mint mark
Estimate: £100 – £120
Hammer: £280
Lot 216, James V Groat
Reverse legend reads OPPIDV : EDINBVRGI – Town of Edinburgh
Estimate: £240 – £300
Hammer: £400
Lot 255, Ireland, Free state, Halfcrown
Estimate: £200 – £260
Hammer: £320
Lot 335, Merovingian, Tremissis
Contemporary plated. Obverse: diademed head left, Reverse: partial cross ancrée,
Found near Maidstone (Kent), October 2009
Estimate: £200 – £260
Hammer: £160
Lot 364, Konrad I von Velber Pfennig
Imitating an English short cross penny
Estimate: £400 – £500
Hammer: £700
Lot 604, Domitian, Denarius
Reverse: Corinthian helmet resting atop draped stool
Estimate: £100 – £120
Hammer: £130
Lot 614, Diva Faustina Senior, Denarius
Estimate: £100 – £120
Hammer: £150