GREAT BRITAIN. Anglo-Saxon. Kings of All England. Penny, ND (ca. 1038-40). London Mint; Licred, moneyer. Harold I Harefoot. PCGS AU-55.

S-1165; N-803. Obverse: + HΛR:-OLD RE-X, diademed and armored bust left; scepter to left; Reverse: + LIC-RED ON L-V(ND), voided long cross, with pellet-in-circle at center and fleur-de-lis (flanked by pellets) in angles. Quite handsomely toned, this specimen exhibits a solid strike with very little evidence of handling.
Son of Cnut, Harold was never the legitimate inheritor of the English throne. His younger half-brother Harthacnut was the legitimate heir of the English and Danish thrones but was unable to travel to England for a coronation. Harold was installed in place of his brother as a temporary regent and his rule only lasted 5 years. His reign is largely unnoteworthy besides the mention of an occasional skirmish in contemporary records. Harold died in 1040 and his brother invaded unopposed to follow his brother to the throne. Harthacnut dug up Harold’s body and had his corpse thrown into a marsh, as repayment for his brother’s treachery.  

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From the Paul C. Runze Collection.