British Coins

Kings of All England, Edward the Confessor (1042-1066), Penny, Pointed Helmet type, Dorchester, Blacaman, bl·aceman on dor, 1.34g/12h (Freeman 6; N 825; S 1179). Extremely fine and attractively toned, extremely rare £600-800

Provenance: P.W.P. Carlyon-Britton Collection, Part I, Sotheby Auction, 17-21 November 1913, lot 604; R.C. Lockett Collection, Part I, Glendining Auction, 6-9 June 1955, lot 824; bt Baldwin 1978.

As noted by Freeman, the output of the Dorchester mint for the entire reign of Edward the Confessor is so slight that he lists little more than a score of specimens. Only two moneyers are definitely known to have worked there during the reign, Blacaman and Hwateman, while a type 3 penny of Godwine is tentatively attributed to the mint. It also seems that Hwateman worked at the neighbouring mint of Bridport (see lot 1029)