Denier parisis - Éléonore d'Alsace 2nd type : molette

Historical Context: Éléonore d'Alsace, Countess of Vermandois, issued this Denier parisis between 1192 and 1210, a period defining the final independent coinage of the county. As the last sovereign ruler of Vermandois, her reign was established following the Treaty of Biron, which recognized her comital rights but stipulated the county's reversion to the French crown upon her death. This coin thus symbolizes Éléonore's assertion of authority and the transitional status of Vermandois, a strategically vital fiefdom, before its eventual integration into the royal domain.

Artistry: The artistry of this denier reflects the robust, functional aesthetic common to feudal coinage of the late 12th and early 13th centuries, adhering to an early Gothic or late Romanesque style. While specific engravers remain anonymous, the design prioritizes legibility over intricate detail. The obverse typically features a cross, often accompanied by a "molette" (star or mullet) in one or more quadrants, a key distinguishing mark for this second type. The reverse commonly displays a stylized church facade or temple, with legends denoting the issuer and mint.

Technical/Grading: For technical assessment, critical high-points include the central elements of the cross and the molette on the obverse, and the roofline and columns of the temple design on the reverse. Given the period's minting techniques, strike quality can vary significantly, with common observations including off-center strikes, weak legend impressions, and planchet irregularities. A well-struck example would exhibit sharp details on the molette and full, clear legends, indicative of minimal die wear and a strong, centered hammer blow.