1 Vierer - Leonard V Lienz

Historical Context: This 1 Vierer coin was issued under Leonard V Lienz, the last Count of Görz from the House of Gorizia, during his reign from 1462 to 1500. The County of Görz, strategically positioned between the powerful Republic of Venice and the rising Habsburg monarchy, faced constant pressure to maintain its independence. Leonard's tenure was marked by complex diplomatic maneuvers and military engagements, attempting to preserve his ancestral lands amidst encroaching regional powers. This coinage represents the final independent issues of Görz before Leonard's death without an heir in 1500, which led to the county's absorption into the Habsburg domains, thus ending centuries of Gorizian autonomy.

Artistry: The artistry of this Vierer, a small silver denomination weighing 0.47 grams, reflects the practical and often simplified aesthetics of late medieval coinage. While the specific engraver remains anonymous, the design would have adhered to the prevailing Late Gothic stylistic school, characterized by heraldic precision and stylized representations rather than naturalistic detail. Typically, such coins feature the Gorizian lion rampant or the ducal shield on one side, often quartered, and a simple cross or a stylized imperial eagle on the reverse. The small flan size necessitated a concise design, emphasizing legibility of the ruler's title and the mint's mark over intricate artistic embellishment.

Technical/Grading: Given its minute size and late 15th-century production, the technical strike quality of this Vierer is generally modest. High-points susceptible to wear or weak strike typically include the raised elements of the heraldic devices, such as the lion's mane or the tips of the cross, and the outer edges of any legends. Planchets are frequently irregular in shape and thickness, leading to off-center strikes or areas of flatness. Full, even striking of all devices and legends is uncommon. The silver composition, while consistent, often exhibits minor surface irregularities inherent to the period's minting processes, making examples with crisp detail and full flan strike highly desirable.