Lot 3837

AR Penny nd., last Small Cross type variety (1009-17), Castle Gotha (Gothabyrig) mint , moneyer Goda (S.1154, North777, SCBI 50 (Hermitage), No.1200 (same dies)) - Obv: Diademed and draped bust left / Rev: GODΛ ON GΘÐΛBУRI; Small cross pattée - 1.75 gram - essentially as struck with precision centring, high quality metal and a pleasing even tone, XF, this Cornish mint extremely hard to source, especially so in such high grade and with a mint signature this full The location of the very rare mint "Gothaburh," also cited as "Castle Gotha," remains uncertain. Earlier authors placed it at Godalming in Surrey, Jedburg in Roxburghshire, Dewsbury in Yorkshire, Woodborough in Nottinghamshire, Idbury in Oxfordshire, or "Ythanceaster" in Essex, but none with conclusive evidence. Stylistic comparison by Dolley and Elmore-Jones with other last small cross issues reveal that the coins of this mint belong to the south-western group, suggesting a location somewhere in West Wessex. Furthermore, the moneyer Goda is known at the Devon mints of Lydford and Totnes