Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 318 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 1010

Ireland. Hiberno-Norse Coinage. Anlaf V (ca. 1029-1034). 'Cnut-style' Penny. struck likely at Dublin, moneyer: Oda (?) Draped bust l. breaking circle, wearing pointed helmet and holding scepter; +?NLF +CVIN-E (the 'N' retrograde), rev. Central double circle enclosing pellet, which intersects a voided and a jeweled cross within a circle; +OD?:ON (the 'N' retrograde) DNLNVF. Anlaf V is apparently Olaf Sigtryggsson (Amláib mac Sitriuc), son of Sigtrygg Silkbeard. His wife is said to have been Sláine, daughter of Brian Boru, King of Munster and High King of Ireland. In 1029, he was taken prisoner by the Lord of Brega and ransomed for the lofty sum of over 1200 cows, 140 British horses, 60 ounces of gold and silver, the "Sword of Carlus" and various Irish hostages. According to the early 17th century "Annals of the Four Masters" (Annála na gCeithre Máistrí), Olaf (Anlaf) "was slain by Saxons on his way on a pilgrimage to Rome in 1034." He was survived by a daughter, Ragnhild, mother of Gruffydd ap Cynan, progenitor of the Kings of Gwynedd in Wales. This coin is the only known example in Anlaf's name and is one of the greatest rarities in Irish, Viking and Anglo-Saxon numismatics. Unlisted in North and Spink. Cf.Roth BNJ vol. 6 (1909), p.55. Bold strike on a full flan, toned a handsome light gray. Unique. NGC MS 61.
Ex 'The Millennia Collection', Ira & Larry Goldberg, Beverly Hills, CA, May 26, 2008, lot 206; ex Dr. Jacob Y. Terner Collection.

Sold for
$15,000