NORMAN. Stephen. 1135-1154. AR Penny (19mm, 1.46 g, 1h). Cross Moline ('Watford') type (BMC i). Hastings mint; Sæwine, moneyer. Struck circa 1136-1145. Good VF.

Keystone 16 – The David C. Bianchi II Collection
Lot: 71.
Closing Date: May 20 2026 10:00 ET

British – Anglo-Saxon & Norman, Silver

Estimate: $ 1 000

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NORMAN. Stephen. 1135-1154. AR Penny (19mm, 1.46 g, 1h). Cross Moline ('Watford') type (BMC i). Hastings mint; Sæwine, moneyer. Struck circa 1136-1145. Crowned bust right, holding lis-tipped scepter / + SAP[INE : ON : HA]ST :, cross moline. Mack 15b; North 873; SCBC 1278. Iridescent toning, usual areas of weak strike, a few faint cleaning scratches. Good VF. Lovely portrait.

From the David C. Bianchi II Collection. Ex Davissons 42 (1 March 2023), lot 297; Dix Noonan Webb 92 (21 June 2011), lot 82.

Stephen, Count of Blois, son and namesake of the reluctant Crusader Stephen of Blois and Adela, the strong-willed daughter of William the Conqueror, seized the English throne upon the death of his uncle Henry I. Stephen, however, was opposed by Henry’s only surviving daughter Matilda, the “Empress” and widow of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry V. The ensuing wars of succession known as the Anarchy (1139-1154) saw the final breakdown of the system of Anglo-Saxon currency as barons asserted regional power and coined in their names. By the Treaty of Wallingford (1154), Stephen recognized as his heir the future Henry II, son of Matilda the Empress and her second husband Count Geoffrey V of Anjou. Upon the death of Stephen (October 25, 1154), Henry II succeeded the English throne.

Closing Date and Time: 20 May 2026 at 10:23:20 ET.



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