Rare Anglo-Saxon coin to be sold

A rare penny made in England in 1066 – the same year as the pivotal Battle of Hastings – is scheduled to go on the auction block next month.

Made in Oxford, the silver coin is set to fetch up to £1,500, or about $2,400, during the Dec. 2 sale in London.

The 944-year-old coin was made in Oxford by a so-called moneyer named Aelfwig during the 10-month reign (Jan. 5, 1066- Oct. 14 1066) of King Harold II, according to the Oxford Mail.

Harold, also known as Harold Godwinson, was killed after being shot in the eye with an arrow at the Battle of Hastings, which was won by William The Conqueror on Oct. 14,1066, ushering in the Norman Conquest. Harold was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.

Richard Bishop, head of the coins department at Spink in London, says the Oxford penny is “super rare.” In fact, it is so rare that only seven other Harold II pennies from Oxford are known to have survived. Some of these are now owned by museums – including three at the Ashmolean, in Oxford, the Mail reported.

Only a handful are in private hands.

“Harold II pennies are very collectible because of the shortness of the reign,” Bishop told the publication. “Oxford pennies from this reign are very difficult to find, so we will have a lot of strong bidding for this coin.”

The coin in question was found in the ground, but where, how and by whom is not known.

But even though it was buried for nearly a 1,000 years, the coin is described as being in “good, very fine condition.” The coin features the tell-tale letters “OXEN” and also features an image of King Harold, with a sceptre.