Aethelred II Silver Penny 978-1016AD Long Cross type Hildsige, Bath

Aethelred II Silver Penny 978-1016AD Long Cross type. Moneyer Hildsige, Bath mint.

21mm, 1.77g, S1151

A pleasing coin, well struck in good silver.

The son of Eadgar, Aethelred ascended the throne following the murder of his half-brother Edward the Martyr at Corfe Castle. He is often referred to as ‘The Unready’, derived from ‘Unrede’ or ‘without counsel’, on account of his weak governing. There is much regional variation in the style of his coinage, more so towards the end of his reign.