Description
Viking Silver Penny of Eric Bloodaxe.
This was the period of the Danelaw when in 866 the Vikings invaded Britian and within a few years built up a large army, raiding and looting large areas of England and settling throughout Northumbria, East Anglia and the East Midlands.
Edmund who had captured the Five Boroughs and later occupied York died in 946 and it was the death of Edmund which gave Eric Bloodaxe the opportunity to establish himself in York. During this first period or reign in 948, Eric issued pennies of the Anglo Saxon two line type and one variant of the issue carried the title Eric Rex EFOR = YORK.
Onlaf SIHTRICSSON who first reigned in 941 – 944 and issued coins in the name of ONLAF REX returned to expel Eric. It was in 952 that Eric re-established himself in York and remained there until 954 when he was finally expelled by King Eadred. It was during the period of his second reign that Eric issued pennies of the Sword type. The obverse carries the title Eric Rex divided by a sword which probably represents the symbol of sovereignty by the Scandinavian Kings. The reverse has a small cross within an inner circle and the name. This second reign or sword type coinage has been chosen by the Bigbury Mint to represent coinage of Eric Bloodaxe. It is struck in sterling silver from hand engraved dies and carries on the reverse the mint signature B’ GBVR’ MON = Bigbury moneyer.
All genuine coins of Eric from both of his reigns are extremely rare.
This excellent quality, semi-reproduction coin is struck in our Devon workshop.
Medal mounting swing style is the more traditional method of mounting medals. Swing Style or ordinary style mounted medals are mounted on a medal brooch bar which can then be pinned to your tunic directly, through becketts or attached to a pocket holder. This style of medal mounting allows the medals to move or ‘swing’ when worn. Over time, the edge of the medals can become damaged due to the medals “clinking” together.
Medal mounting court style is alleged to have began during the reign of Queen Victoria. Those attending the Queen would wear medals court mounted to stop them “clinking”. Other sources suggest that the Cavalry first adopted the practice. Either way, this style of medal mounting is becoming more popular. Court mounted medals are fixed to a rigid backing material called buckram. The buckram is then covered in a felt material before the medals are mounted on their own ribbon length. This style of medal mounting holds the medals firmly in place and prevents them ‘clinking’ together and damaging each other when worn.
Medals are mounted ready for wear and then placed on a block within the frame. This allows for the easy removal and replacement of the medals as required, meaning they can be removed for wear on parade or for cleaning.
The medals will hang from the block at a slight angle much as they would if they were being worn on the chest.
Medals are not mounted ready for wear and instead are placed flat against the frame backing with the medal ribbon secured through a slot. This means that the medals cannot be removed from the frame and cannot be worn.
