Denier - Henry of France

Historical Context: This denier was issued by Henry of France (Henri de France), Bishop of Beauvais from 1149 to 1162. Son of King Louis VI and brother of Louis VII, Henry was a powerful ecclesiastic and statesman, holding the prestigious See of Reims before and after his tenure in Beauvais. His episcopate coincided with a period of growing Capetian royal authority under Louis VII, yet powerful bishops like Henry retained significant temporal jurisdiction, including regalian rights such as coinage. The Beauvais mint, operating under episcopal authority, played a crucial regional economic role during this transitional phase of French feudalism.

Artistry: The anonymous artisans of the Beauvais mint produced coinage characteristic of 12th-century French provincial issues. Stylistically, this denier exhibits features common to late Romanesque numismatic art, transitioning towards nascent Gothic forms. The design typically features a central cross or monogram (often an 'H' for Henri or 'B' for Beauvais) on the obverse, encircled by a legend, with a stylized cross or episcopal symbol on the reverse. Engraver signatures are virtually unknown for this period and mint, reflecting the communal, workshop-based production methods rather than individual artistic attribution.

Technical/Grading: For this billon denier type (0.92g, 18mm), critical grading considerations include the strike's centering and strength, particularly regarding the full legibility of the legends (e.g., +HENRICVS or +BELLOVACVS). Due to the often irregular and thin flans, off-center strikes, planchet cracks, and areas of flatness are common. A well-struck example will show clear definition of the central devices, minimal evidence of double striking, and a relatively complete and round flan, which is a significant premium given the manufacturing limitations of the era.