William The Conqueror Silver Penny 1066-1087ADF Profile right Leicester

William The Conqueror Silver Penny 1066-1087ADF Profile right type struck by Aegelwine at Leicester
19mm, 1.36g

A wonderful portrait of William the Conqueror, exceptional well struck in good silver and showing little sign of wear. The reverse is somewhat double struck but the design is still clear and legends readable.

1066AD was a turbulent year for England, with the death of the popular monarch Edward The Confessor you see a power grab by Harold Godwinson lasting 10 months before being ended by William Duke of Normandy at the battle of Hastings where Harold is reportedly killed by an arrow to the eye. The story is told in great detail in the Bayeux tapestry but by which side, the English or the French? William Duke of Normandy became William The Conqueror and initiated a number of administrative reforms including the compilation of the Doomsday Book in 1086AD.