DENMARK. Penny, ND (986-1014). Lund Mint. Sweyn I Forkbeard (Svend

Denmark's Numismatic Birth Certificate Formidably Pedigreed DENMARK. Penny, ND (986-1014). Lund Mint. Sweyn I Forkbeard (Svend Tveskæg). About Extremely Fine, Broken and Repaired. Hauberg-1; not in Hauberg Collection; Bruun-1303 (illustrated plate 3); Weight: 1.95 gms. Moneyer: Godwine. Chipped, broken into several pieces and repaired. Nicely struck with the following legends clearly legible: +ZAEN REX AD D(EN)ER / +GO(D)PINE M-AN DNER. Although one could obviously wish for a better condition, this coin, often referred to as Denmark's numismatic birth certificate, is nevertheless to be considered the jewel in the crown of any collection of early Danish coinage. The present formidably pedigreed piece is very likely the only example in private ownership. This type is recognized as the first official Danish coin and is of the utmost historically significance because it was the first Danish currency to bear the name of both the king and the country, establishing a royal guarantee of value. It is particularly interesting to note the parallelism among the Nordic kingdoms regarding the initiation of actual royal coinage, as all three countries-under Sweyn Forkbeard, Olaf Tryggvason, and Olof Skötkonung, respectively-began around 995. All were of Æthelred II's "Crux" type, and the Anglo-Saxon moneyer's name, Godwine, is found in all three countries. While production in Sigtuna quickly became significant, this was not the case in Denmark, which only began large-scale production under Cnut the Great, and certainly not in Norway, where the exercise of an actual royal prerogative (regale) does not seem to have been considered at all. NGC "Not Encapsulated--Broken and Repaired". Estimate: €6,000 - €8,000. Provenance: From the L.E. Bruun Collection. Ex: Countship of Brahesminde Collection (Private Sale - 1922). Ex: The Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, deaccessioned c. 1880. Ex: August Christian Mohr Collection (Copenhagen - 1847) Lot # 1747. Ex: Ole Devegge (?), possibly sold privately c. 1840. To view supplemental information and all items from the L.E. Bruun Collection, click here. Please note: Bid amounts do not include VAT. Buyers which are non-VAT registered entities or individuals who take delivery of lots within EU countries subject to margin scheme taxation will be invoiced a VAT charge and a Buyer’s Premium for a total of 27.5% based upon the total amount of the hammer. Please see the Terms and Conditions.

Estimate:£2,528.15

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