ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Wessex. Alfred the Great. 871-899. AR Penny (20mm, 1.44 g, 6h). Two-line type (BMC xiv). Canterbury mint; Dunning, moneyer. Struck circa 880-899. Good VF.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 1115. Estimated: $ 3 000

British, Silver

Sold For $ 12 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Wessex. Alfred the Great. 871-899. AR Penny (20mm, 1.44 g, 6h). Two-line type (BMC xiv). Canterbury mint; Dunning, moneyer. Struck circa 880-899. + ELFRED REX D◊R◊, small cross pattée / DVNNI/NC MO in two lines; pellets above and below, three pellets between. SCBI –; BMC 19; North 638; SCBC 1069. Old cabinet toning. Good VF. Well struck.

Ex Spink Numismatic Circular CX.3 (June 2002), no. HS1060; Spink 69 (20 April 1989), lot 56; R.C. Lockett Collection (Part III, Glendnining, 4 November 1958), lot 2708 (part of); L.E. Bruun (Part I, Sotheby & Co., 18 May 1925), lot 66; H. Montagu (Part I, Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge, 18 November 1895), lot 514 (part of); W. Brice Collection (purchased en bloc by Montagu, 1887).

Alfred the Great (871-899), King of Wessex, succeeded his brother Aethelred I and bought a respite so that he could strengthen Wessex against future Danish attacks. He is the only English monarch to ever earn the epithet “the Great.” Alfred implemented legal, administrative, and military reforms that ensured that his successors would unite all England and end the Danish threat. A scholar, he translated into English Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophyand, in tandem with his biographer Bishop Asser, sponsored a general revival of letters and arts in England. In 878, he negotiated the Treaty of Wedmore dividing England into an expanded Kingdom of Wessex and the Danelaw. In 880, Alfred recaptured London and in celebration struck splendid pennies bearing the city’s monogram.

The final winners of all Triton XXIX lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 January 2026.

Triton XXIX – Session Four – Lot 920-1141 will be held Wednesday afternoon, 14 January 2026 beginning at 2:00 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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