Nugget: Royal Mint release proof precious metal versions of its new King Canute coin

We covered the Royal Mints new themed circulating currency last week and now the first of them has already surfaced in proof precious metal form. King Canute (or Cnut) was king of Denmark, England and Norway (the Anglo-Scandinavian or North Sea Empire), until his death on 12 November 1035. Not a subject that appears very often on modern numismatics, the design is a highly stylised one. Available in gold, and in two thicknesses of silver, the coin is available now. A base-metal version with an unlimited mintage is also available for £13.00.

MINTS DESCRIPTION: The Royal Mint is to mark 1,000 years since the coronation of Canute, the legendary Viking conqueror who became the first King of a unified England. This £5 coin marks the first time that a 1,000 year anniversary has been commemorated by The Royal Mint, and the first time that this English King has been featured on a coin since the time of his reign.

Long before the Norman Invasion of 1066, Canute the Great crossed the North Sea and seized the throne of England. As a Viking warrior, son of King Swein ‘Forkbeard’ of Denmark, Canute captured the English throne from Æthelred II’s son, Edmund ‘Ironside,’ at the Battle of Assandun, and began a period of conquest across northern Europe. Canute was a conqueror with no clear connection to the royal dynasties that had ruled England for centuries. Capturing the English throne was the beginning of a period of conquest that spread across northern Europe and, before the end of his reign, his empire included Denmark, Norway and he also claimed part of Sweden.

Canute is perhaps best known for the story of ‘Canute and the waves’ and his attempt to control the incoming tide. Legend has it that he sat on his throne at the water’s edge and commanded the waves to turn back. This tale has often been interpreted as a sign of Canute’s arrogance, an attempt to prove that his power was so great he could control the seas. But the earliest form of the story shows Canute in a different light, as a humble king, proving to his flattering courtiers that, compared to the power of God, he was only human.

It is perhaps surprising that Canute’s great conquest, ruling the vast North Sea Empire and being crowned ‘king of all England,’ is now largely forgotten, though his achievements paved the way for the nation of England we recognise today.

DESIGN: Lee R. Jones

EDGE INSCRIPTION: Time and tide wait for no man