King Oluf I of Denmark, nicknamed Oluf “Hunger,” ruled from 1086 to 1095. He was the third of five of Sven Estridsen’s sons to ascend the Danish throne, succeeding his bother Cnut IV (the Holy). At the time of Cnut’s death, Oluf was held hostage by Cnut’s father-in-law, Duke Robert of Flanders, having led a revolt against Cnut in 1085. That revolt eventually led to the murder of Cnut at the altar in St. Albans Church in Odense in 1086.
Oluf was proclaimed king at the Thing in Viborg while still imprisoned in Flanders, and an agreement for his release was negotiated as his younger brother Niels took his place as hostage.
We know very little of Oluf’s nine-year reign, other than the country being hit by a famine. The people blamed the king for the famine and said it was divine punishment for the killing of king Cnut, hence his nickname “Hunger.”
Oluf died under mysterious circumstances in 1095 (decease, murder, suicide – all have been suggested) and was succeeded by another of his brothers, Erik I, Ejegod (Evergood).
Coins of Oluf Hunger are extremely rare. In all Danish numismatics, Oluf’s coins are the most difficult to acquire (with the exception of the fabled Swein Forkbeard Penny).
The amazing L.E. Bruun Collection only had a single example. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is proud to present a spectacular specimen from this rare king as lot 13038 in the L. E. Bruun Collection Part II sale taking place in Zürich on March 14 and 15, 2025.
With an impressive Unc Details grade, wonderful toning and excellent details, this astonishing beauty is sure to evoke ‘Hunger’ in collectors of Danish and rare Medieval coins.
To view the entire L. E. Bruun Collection Part II sale along with our other upcoming auctions visit StacksBowers.com.
