2019-12-05 Thu

Alfred the Great was the King of Wessex from 871 to 886 and King of the Anglo Saxons 886 to 899. He prevented England from falling to the Danes and promoted learning and literacy.

Alfred had a reputation as a learned and merciful man of a gracious and level-headed nature that encouraged education, proposing that primary education be conducted in English rather than Latin. He improved the legal system, military structure and people's quality of life. He was given the epithet "the Great" during and after the Reformation in the sixteenth century. The only other king of England given this epithet is Cnut the Great.

The above shown Penny was issued under his reign. The obverse of a coin depicts the diademed bust right. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin engraved DVN | NA | MON | ETA in angles of cross crosslet with lozenge center, small cross within. Besides a dark tone this Penny is as pristine and sharp as when first struck during Alfred's reign, with every detail fully represented.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions