1666 - 350 in 66 items

SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY PRIVATE SALE CATALOGUE
46. Harold II Penny of 1066, Pax type, Wilton mint, 20mm, a superb example showing a
stunning portrait of the crowned head of Harold facing left holding a scepter, struck by the
moneyer Aelfwold, extremely fine and rare.
*Harold, King of England 6 th January to 14 th October 1066. Harold was the last Saxon king of
England, the son of Earl Godwine of Wessex, who dominated the royal court and was brother-in-law to
Edward the Confessor. Edward died on the 5 th January 1066, Harold was crowned quickly the following
day. Harold successfully defeated a Viking invasion (mounted by Harald Hardrada of Norway) in the
north of England, then had to march his exhausted army south to meet the Norman invasion,
culminating in the Battle of Hastings, during which he was killed. There are only around 600 surviving
coins of Harold II, many in museums and institutions, making these one of the most desirable of English
coins. Only the penny denomination was struck during his brief ten month reign.
47. Half Penny Token for Daniel Birtwissell 1666, 18mm, Bride Lane (Fleet Street) London
at the sign of the Bear, good very fine and scarce.
*As early as 1252 a white bear was sent as a present from Norway to King Henry III; by him it was sent
to the Tower, and fourpence per day for its keep was directed to be paid by the sheriffs of London.
A white bear was the badge of Queen Anne, consort of Richard III.
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