British Coins and Tokens

Cnut (1016-1035), Penny, Pointed Helmet type, Ipswich, ‘Gcerlaf’, gcerlaf on gipes:, reads cnvt: ex ang, 1.07g/3h (Sadler II, p.56, fig. 504, this coin; BEH 942; N 787; S 1158). Slightly creased with a few peckmarks, very fine, toned and extremely rare £700-£900

B.R. Osborne Collection, Glendining Auction, 23 April 1991, lot 28 [from Baldwin February 1973]; J. Boon Collection; J.C. Sadler Collection

Struck from the same reverse die as the Copenhagen (SCBI 993) and Norwegian Collections (SCBI 2750) specimens.

The vendor notes two die-linked moneyers for Ipswich with etymologically improbable names: ‘Gcerlaf’ and ‘Gotsalin’. Both are very rare with only a handful of coins known for each. Apart from the odd names, everything else about the coins - style, weight and apparent fineness - seems normal.