1 Pfennig 'Sargpfennig'

Historical Context: The 1 Pfennig 'Sargpfennig' from the City of Halberstadt circulated during the tumultuous late medieval period (1363-1500) within the Holy Roman Empire. This issue reflects the city's municipal autonomy alongside the Prince-Bishopric. The distinctive 'Sargpfennig' (coffin pfennig) nomenclature underscores the era's pervasive anxieties, deeply influenced by the Black Death and heightened religious contemplation of mortality. As a low-denomination silver coin, it served as essential currency for daily transactions across the region.

Artistry: Specific engravers for medieval pfennigs are undocumented; this coin typifies the late Gothic stylistic school prevalent in Central Europe. The obverse typically features a stylized cross, often within a square or circle. The reverse, giving the coin its evocative name, depicts a stark, stylized coffin or tomb-like structure, frequently surmounted by a cross. This macabre yet powerful iconography was not merely decorative but served as a potent memento mori, reflecting the spiritual landscape of its time.

Technical/Grading: Given the hammered production methods, these small silver pfennigs often exhibit variability in strike quality. Key high-points for preservation include the raised elements of the central cross on the obverse and the distinct outline of the coffin on the reverse. Strikes are frequently off-center, leading to incomplete legends or partially visible designs. The thin planchets (0.37 grams) are prone to irregular shapes, flan cracks, and significant wear, making well-centered, fully struck examples with sharp details highly desirable.