SWEDEN. temp. Olof Skötkonung (the Treasurer). 995–1022. AR Penny (18x17mm, 2.06 g, 2h). Imitating an Æthelred II Long Cross type. Sigtuna mint. Struck circa 1000/5-1020. VF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 779. Estimated: $ 1 000

World, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 3 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

SWEDEN. temp. Olof Skötkonung (the Treasurer). 995–1022. AR Penny (18x17mm, 2.06 g, 2h). Imitating an Æthelred II Long Cross type. Sigtuna mint. Struck circa 1000/5-1020. Draped bust left / Voided long cross, with triple-crescent ends. Malmer, Svenska 200 (same dies); Malmer chain S, 4.248.641. Peck marks. VF. Square flan. Rare.

Also known as Olof Eiríksson, Olof Skötkonung (the Treasurer) was the first Christian King of Sweden. The epithet Skötkonung refers to Olof’s role as a treasure king: taxes, a tributary relationship, the minting of coins, or an ancient land ownership ceremony have all been suggested as possible explanations. Much of what is known about him comes from the great Icelandic historian and mythographer, Snorri Sturulson, as well as the German medieval chronicler, Adam of Bremen. Olof’s reign was spent in negotiating the complicated politics of eleventh century Scandinavia. At one point Olof participated in a Viking raid into northern Germany. There, he captured Edia, the daughter of a local West Slavic chieftain. Becoming his mistress, Edia gave birth to King Emund of Sweden (1050-1060) and Astrid Olofsdotter, Queen of Norway (d. 1035). Olof appears to have not always been interested in maintaining his territories. He lost control of Denmark (which his father had conquered) to Sweyn I Forkbeard and, in 1000, formed and alliance with him. When war erupted between Sweden and Norway following Olaf II Haraldsson’s reestablishment of the latter kingdom, it became a personal family feud, since Olaf II Haraldsson had been married to Astrid Olofsdotter and later engaged to Ingegerd Olofsdotter. No one on either side wished the war to go on, apart from Olof Skötkonung. The Swedes became so incensed at Olof’s obstinacy that one of his revered advisers, Thorgny Lawspeaker, threatened to kill the king if he did not cease and turn his attention eastward toward the old areas once controlled by his ancestors. Olof was thereupon compelled to share power with his son, Anund, and submit to the terms of the peace treaty forged at Kungahälla in 1020. Olof also betrothed his daughter Ingegerd to Yaroslav I the Wise.

In 1008, Olof Skötkonung was baptised a Christian by St. Sigfrid at Husaby. Olof’s death in the winter of 1021/2 was, according to legend, the result of his refusal to sacrifice to the pagan gods. He was later canonized as St. Olof of Sweden.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Three – Lot 595-896 will be held Wednesday morning, 16 September 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

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

We recognize that our users may have various Internet Browsers and Operating Systems. We like our visitors to have the best possible experience when using our bidding platform. However, we do recognize that it is impossible to develop applications that work identically, efficiently and effectively on all web browsers. The CNG bidding platform supports the latest stable major version and stable previous version of Chrome and Firefox.