England, Cnut, silver penny, c. AD 1029-36, Raefen (Hrafn) moneyer, at the York mint; his bust left with sceptre and diadem/short cross circumscribed in circle, legend around. 1.08 g.
The moneyer's name Raefen (Old Norse spelling: Hrafn) was clearly of Norse descent, an indication of the extensive Scandinavian settlement in England by the time of Cnut's reign; York in particular having a Viking legacy.
Very fine, old collection tone, crimped, peckmarks on the reverse. Rare moneyer.
S. 1159; North 790; SCBI Copenhagen 801 (this coin); Bruun 226 (this coin)
ex-L.E. Bruun (1852-1923) collection, acquired 1922; from the family collection of the Counts of Brahesminde (the Bille-Brahe family), begun in the 19th century.