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Auction: 16019 - The Academic Collection of Lord Stewartby: English Coins part 1, Anglo-Saxon and Norman Coins
Lot: 271

Harold I (1035-40), Penny, 1.08g, Fleur-de-Lis type, Gothabyrig (Castle Gotha), LeomÆr, bust left diademed and in armour, in front a shield and sceptre, rev. +LEOFMÆR On IOĐA, Long cross voided, limbs united at their bases by a circle enclosing a pellet, in each angle a fleur-de-lis between two pellets (N803; S1165), slightly uneven flan, the obverse double struck, toned, very fine, extremely rare.

PROVENANCE:
Baldwin 24, 10 October 2000, lot 965

The rare mint of Gothabyrig is believed to refer to Castle Gotha in Cornwall. Circumstantial evidence from the coins known of this mint would appear to be in agreement with the historical facts. The earliest known coins are those of Aethelred II; coins of Cnut with the Gothabyrig signature are known in Quatrefoil only. After claiming the throne in 1016, Cnut concluded a treaty with the Princes of Cornwall giving them the right to rule west of the River Tamar, leaving Gothabyrig (if it is Castle Gotha) outside Cnut’s control and therefore unlikely to be one of his mints. His death in 1035 would probably have rendered this treaty null and void.

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Sold for
£2,000