Raven Penny facts for kids
The Raven Penny is a special coin from the Viking Age. It was made for Olaf Guthfrithson, a Viking king who ruled York between 939 and 941 AD. This coin is famous for its unique design and what it tells us about Viking times.
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History of the Raven Penny
Who Was King Olaf Guthfrithson?
Olaf Guthfrithson was a powerful Viking leader. He belonged to a famous family called the Uí Ímair dynasty. This family was important in both Ireland and England. Olaf was King of Dublin from 934 to 941. He later became King of York.
Olaf's father, Gofraid ua Ímair, was also briefly King of York. But he was forced out by King Æthelstan of England. When Olaf became king, he continued his family's rule in the region.
When Was the Coin Made?
The Raven Penny was made during Olaf Guthfrithson's time as king of York. This was between the years 939 and 941. A person named Aethelferd was the "moneyer," meaning he was in charge of making the coins. The coin clearly has the words "King Anlaf" on it, showing who it belonged to.
What the Raven Penny Looks Like
The Front of the Coin (Obverse)
On the front side of the Raven Penny, you can see a raven. The raven has its wings spread wide. Around the raven, there are words written in a circle: `+ANLAF CVNVNC`. This writing means "King Anlaf."
The Back of the Coin (Reverse)
The back side of the coin has a small cross pattée. This is a type of cross with arms that get wider at the ends. Around the cross, there are more words: `+EDELFERD MINETRE`. This means "Moneyer Aethelferd," telling us who made the coin.
What the Coin's Words Mean
The word `CVNVNC` on the front of the coin is very interesting. It is the Old Norse word "Konungr," which means "King." It's written using the Latin alphabet. This is one of the earliest known times that Old Norse was written down using Latin letters.
The use of the Old Norse language and the image of the raven are very important. Ravens were strongly connected to the Norse god Odin. For the Vikings, putting these symbols on their coins was a way to show their independence. It was like saying they were proud of their Viking heritage and were ruling their own lands.
See also
- Curmsun Disc
- Raven Banner Penny
- Cultural depictions of ravens
- Scandinavian York
- Runes
