Twelfth Century Hiberno Norse Bracteate Phase VII.B. Silver Penny Rarity

Hiberno Norse Silver Penny Bracteate Phase VII, c.1110 - c.1150.  1.27 g.; 22.5 mm.  Bracteate struck on a thin flan to the obverse side only, w the reverse showing the incuse of the obverse strike.   Cross over quadrefoil, w a large pellet in each quadrant, and a large pellet in the field at the end of cach cross arm.  A broad rough single line circle around the quadrefoil and total of 8 large pellets.  An outer band of well spaced I's, enclosed by a broad line circle border.  The design identical to the plate piece, S.6202G, photographed, p. 134, Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Man & Lundy) including Anglo-Gallic Coins, Spink London 2015.

Extremely Fine.  Remarkably well preserved, and likely from the Strabo Hill, Co. Down, Ireland find of 1855.  See the Numismatic Chronicle 1942.  A small rim chip, a minor rim flan crenelation opposite. Some minor waviness to the flan but never crimped.  Luster remaining, w a delicate red gold tone about.  Two grades finer than the Spink Plate coin.  Excessively Rare for type.  $18K.

Update.  This piece chosen by Spink to illustrate the front cover of the updated 2020 edition of Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands, etc.  And rightly so.