England. Late Anglo-Saxon. Harold II (1066). AR Pax Penny. Steyning, moneyer: Deorman. 1.30 gms. Crowned head left with scepter; +H?ROLD REX ?NGLo, rev. PAX across field, beaded bar above and below; +DERMON ON STENI. N.836, S.1186. The son of Earl Godwine of Wessex, Harold, with fortune on his side, repulsed the invasion of Harald Sigurdsson Hardrada of Norway. Fortune, though, was short-lived for Harold Godwinson, as he was defeated by William the Conqueror a few weeks later and killed at the Battle of Hastings after a reign of just ten months. Rare. Attractive old cabinet toning. Extremely Fine.
