Catalog
| Issuer | Italy, Kingdom of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1026-1039 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1 Denier (1⁄240) |
| Currency | Pound (781-1024) |
| Composition | Billon |
| Weight | 1.10 g |
| Diameter | |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | MEC XII#35, CNI V#1 (p.47) |
| Obverse description | Legend in three lines in a beaded circle, legend around. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
U CIO N +IMPERATOR (Translation: Conrad, emperor...) |
| Reverse description | Legend in four lines. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
AVG MED IOLA NIV (Translation: ... august. Milan.) |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (1026-1039) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 3173239500 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This denier was issued during Conrad II's reign (1024-1039), the first Salian emperor, a pivotal era for the Holy Roman Empire's consolidation of power in Italy. Crowned King of Italy in Milan in 1026, Conrad actively asserted imperial authority over northern Italian communes. The Milan mint, a vital imperial center, produced this coinage to facilitate local commerce and symbolize the emperor's suzerainty over Lombardy.
Artistry: Engravers for this period remain anonymous, adhering to early Romanesque stylistic traditions that prioritized symbolic representation. Deniers of Conrad II from Milan typically feature a central cross or a stylized imperial bust on the obverse, encircled by an imperial legend like 'CONRADVS IMP'. The reverse commonly displays 'MEDIOLANVM', often surrounding a monogram or another cross. Designs are characterized by strong linearity and abstract forms, typical of early medieval numismatic art.
Technical/Grading: Struck in billon, a low-grade silver alloy, this denier typically weighs 1.10 grams, standard for the era. Key high-points for wear assessment include the center of the cross, any raised elements of an imperial bust or monogram, and the tops of legend letters. Due to 11th-century manufacturing, these coins frequently exhibit technical imperfections such as irregular flan shapes, off-center strikes, and variable strike pressure, leading to areas of weakness, particularly on the periphery.