H4467 & H4472 - Aethelred II (978-1016), Silver Pennies, 1.69g. (top) and 1.73g. (bottom), Long Cross type (c.997-c.1003), London

A Pair of Aethelred II London Long Cross Pennies, Reverse Die Duplicates With Altered Dies

	H4467 & H4472 - Aethelred II (978-1016), Silver Pennies, 1.69g. (top) and 1.73g. (bottom), Long Cross type (c.997-c.1003), London - Oswulf, bare-headed bust left, ÆÐELRED REX ANGLO, rev., long cross voided +OSVLF MO LVND, bottom coin with pellet in 2nd and 3rd quarter, pellet on initial cross, (N.774; S.1151), top coin: toned, good very fine, bottom coin: Viking peckmarks, worn dies, very fine, toned, a rare pair of coins that illustrate the Late Anglo-Saxon practice of altering dies for an otherwise unknown but deliberate purpose. $1495 (the pair)
Die Duplicates with Altered Reverse Die: The reverse die on the bottom coin has been altered with the addition pellets in the angles of the cross and on the initial cross. The two coins have different obverse dies and the bottom or later coin was struck from worn dies. An interesting illustration of the practice of altering Late Anglo-Saxon dies and the inner workings of the mint.