ANGLO-SAXON, Substantive Gold Phase. Circa 620-645. AV Thrymsa – Shilling (12mm, 1.28 g, 9h). ‘York’ type. Good VF.

CNG Feature Auction 124
Lot: 999. Estimated: $ 15 000

British, Gold

Sold For $ 22 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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ANGLO-SAXON, Substantive Gold Phase. Circa 620-645. AV Thrymsa – Shilling (12mm, 1.28 g, 9h). ‘York’ type. Half-length bearded figure standing facing, with stylized face; crosses flanking / Blundered inscription around central cross pommée in circle. EMC 1994.503 = M. Blackburn, “A Variant of the Seventh-Century ‘York’ Group of Shillings Found in Lincolnshire,” in NC 154 (1994), pl. 21, 6 = Abramson, England's, Variety Bi.6, dies Bi1/Bi1 = Naylor & Allen 4 = A&W type V.xxi, 323 = Metcalf 51 (all this coin); Sutherland –; MEC 8 table 3, type 24; cf. North 27; SCBC 762. Light mark on reverse. Good VF. A unique and important thrymsa in the York group series. Not seen since this piece was recorded by Blackburn for the EMC in 1994.

Found in Burton-by-Lincoln, Lincolnshire, 1991.

With a stylized depiction of an evangelist proclaiming the power of the cross on the obverse this significant coin belongs to a fascinating series of gold Thrymsas, believed to have been struck at York, which have been associated with the mission of Bishop Paulinus to convert heathen Northumbria and Lindsey during the reign of King Edwin. It was discovered by John Derry in 1991 in a field four miles north of Lincoln where, according to the Venerable Bede, Paulinus founded a church in c. 628. Published in the Numismatic Chronicle in 1994 this coin is the only example known of its type and is considered to be the earliest Thrymsa in the 'York' group to have a reverse inscription, the reading of which has been much debated by scholars. Abramson argues that it conveys a divine blessing on York. Thoroughly Christian and non regal in conception this Thrymsa demonstrates that the stimulus for a native Anglo-Saxon coinage in the north of England was inexorably linked to the spread of the Gospel.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 124 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 19-20 September 2023. This lot is in Session Two, which will begin 20 September at 2 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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