Viking York (c. 890 – 910 AD) Cnut Penny; Danish Northumbria. 1.24g. (N. 501, S. 993). REF: 42X73L.
Obverse: Central inverted patriarchal cross, four pellets around lower cross, CNVT at the end of each cross limb, R::EX:: between. Reverse: Central cross patée flanked by two pellets all within wire circle, inscription around +CVN::NT::T::E.
A sharp strike, excellent metal and detail, pleasant light toning, a choice coin, so much so I won’t be too sad if no-one buys it for a while. York penny legends vary considerably, a result of Danish influence, Denmark using a runic alphabet at the time these coins were made. Conveniently the EMC contains just one N. 501 penny with a reverse spelling of CVNNTTE and it is a die match with this coin; see EMC: 1004.0487 (SCBI: 4/487, Royal Collection Copenhagen).
Obverse
Reverse