ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Wessex. Alfred the Great. 871-899. AR Penny (18mm, 1.52 g, 2h). London monogram type (BMC vi). London mint. Struck circa 883. Near EF.

Keystone 16 – The David C. Bianchi II Collection
Lot: 55.
Closing Date: May 20 2026 10:00 ET

British – Anglo-Saxon & Norman, Silver

Estimate: $ 15 000

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ANGLO-SAXON, Kings of Wessex. Alfred the Great. 871-899. AR Penny (18mm, 1.52 g, 2h). London monogram type (BMC vi). London mint. Struck circa 883. ÆLFR ED RE+, diademed bust right / Londonia monogram, four pellets in central O; small crosses pattée above, . MacKay, London type A1(ii), 3.10 corr. (dies O3/R3; this coin, incorrect weight recorded); SCBI 30 (American), 302 (same dies); North 644; SCBC 1061. Old cabinet toning, minor metal flaws on reverse. Near EF. Wonderful portrait. Rare.

From the David C. Bianchi II Collection. Ex Richard A. Jourdan Collection (Triton XXIII, 14 January 2020), lot 1231, purchased from C.H. Wolfe, 1999; J. P. Linzalone Collection (Stack’s, 7 December 1994), lot 2353; Reverend A. Mallinson Collection (Spink 39, 6 December 1984), lot 74, purchased from Spink.

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 Philosophy and, 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.

Closing Date and Time: 20 May 2026 at 10:18:00 ET.



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