Exceptional Sihtric Anlafsson
IRELAND, Hiberno-Norse. Sihtric Anlafsson. Circa 995-1020. AR Penny (18mm, 1.27 g, 12h). Phase II coinage. Dublin mint; ‘Fiernein,’ moneyer. Struck circa 1015/20-1035. + ZIHTRC REX DУFL, draped bust left, with furcula on neck; cross to right / + FIE RNEI N O DIУI, voided long cross with pellet in each quarter. SCBC 6122; DF 23. Superb EF, attractively toned. Very rare.
The Hiberno-Norse coinage began in the late tenth century, when the Viking rulers of Dublin began to strike coins imitating the silver pennies of Aethelred II of England. Originally fairly accurate reproductions, faithful in style and bearing realistic legends, the series eventually degraded stylistically (Phase III), along with the weight and fineness of the silver, culminating with a series of bracteates, coins so thin that a design could only be impressed only one side.
