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1 Obol - Ferdinand II transfer of Sant James
| Issuer | Leon, Kingdom of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1182-1188 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Shape | Round (irregular) |
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| Obverse description | A lion passant facing right occupies the central field, rendered in the crude but expressive style typical of Leonese hammered coinage. Above the lion, a scallop shell and a cross are visible as secondary design elements. The entire central device is enclosed within a beaded inner circle. A horizontal Latin legend reading + FERNANDVS REX encircles the design within the outer border, identifying the issuer as Ferdinand, King of León. The striking is irregular, characteristic of the hand-hammered billon coinage of the late 12th century. |
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| Obverse lettering | + FERNANDVS REX (Translation: Ferdinand king) |
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| Additional information |
Ferdinand II of León struck these small billon pieces as part of broader monetary agreements tied to his contentious relationship with the military orders operating along the Leonese-Portuguese frontier. The "transfer of Sant James" designation connects this type to Ferdinand's dealings with the Order of Santiago, founded in 1170 and granted substantial territorial and fiscal privileges by the Leonese crown during precisely this period.
At 0.27 g, these obols circulated at the lowest practical denomination — the kind of coin that passes through dozens of hands before anyone bothers to scrutinize it, which partly explains survival rates.