Harthacnut coin value guide
Harthacnut · 1040–1042 · Penny
Denominations
Penny
Reign
1040–1042
What a coin is worth depends on its exact type, mint, grade and provenance — the type tables and value factors below explain what drives each one.
About these coins
Harthacnut, son of Cnut, ruled England for only about two years (1040–1042), having already been king in Denmark. His English coinage is correspondingly brief and genuinely scarce. The main English types are the Jewel Cross — shared with his half-brother Harold I — and the Arm-and-Sceptre type.
Because the reign was so short, English pennies of Harthacnut in his own name are rare and keenly sought. Many coins of the period were also struck for him in Scandinavia. As ever, type, mint, grade and provenance determine where a given coin sits.
Value by type
The standard late Anglo-Saxon silver penny, struck in his name at English mints during a very short reign. Typically 1.0–1.2g of silver.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Jewel Cross c. 1036–1040 The jewelled cross design shared with Harold I; English coins in Harthacnut's own name are scarce. | Rare in Harthacnut's name |
Arm-and-Sceptre c. 1040–1042 An arm holding a sceptre; the principal type of his short sole reign. | Rare |
What drives the value
Type & rarity
Within a single reign, common types in collectable grade sit far below the scarce and rare types. Identifying the exact type is the first step in any valuation.
Mint & moneyer
Coins of rare mints, or with sought-after moneyer or privy-mark signatures, carry a clear premium over the common major-mint issues.
Grade & surfaces
A full, sharp strike with a clear portrait or design and legible legends commands the most. Weak striking, chips, cracks and corrosion all reduce value.
Provenance
A pedigree to a named cabinet or a recorded hoard adds both value and confidence in authenticity, especially for scarcer and higher-grade pieces.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Harthacnut penny worth?
English pennies in Harthacnut's own name are rare because the reign lasted only about two years, so they sit well above the common late Saxon kings. Value depends on type, mint, grade and provenance — use the valuation tool for a figure based on realised prices for comparable coins.
Why are Harthacnut's English coins so rare?
He ruled England for barely two years (1040–42), and much of his coinage was struck in Scandinavia, so English pennies in his own name are genuinely scarce.
What types did Harthacnut strike in England?
Mainly the Jewel Cross type (shared with Harold I) and the Arm-and-Sceptre type of his sole reign.