Dinheiro 'Bust' - Afonso I

Đơn vị phát hành Portugal
Năm 1139-1185
Loại Standard circulation coin
Mệnh giá 1 Dinheiro
Tiền tệ Libra (1st Dynasty, 1128-1383)
Chất liệu Billon (.450 silver)
Trọng lượng 0.6 g
Đường kính 18 mm
Độ dày
Hình dạng Round (irregular)
Kỹ thuật Hammered
Hướng Variable alignment ↺
Nghệ nhân khắc
Lưu hành đến
Tài liệu tham khảo Gomes#A1 01
Mô tả mặt trước King`s head looking left above mint letters C-O (?or O-O?)
Chữ viết mặt trước Latin
Chữ khắc mặt trước ALFONSVS
Mô tả mặt sau Christo Cross with crescents at 1st and 3rd corner
Chữ viết mặt sau Latin
Chữ khắc mặt sau REX PORTVGA
Cạnh
Xưởng đúc
Số lượng đúc ND (1139-1185) C-O - -
ID Numisquare 1474936450
Thông tin bổ sung

Historical Context: The Dinheiro 'Bust' of Afonso I, Gomes#A1 01, dates from Portugal's foundational period (1139-1185). Afonso Henriques, the first King, forged the nation amidst the Iberian Reconquista, asserting autonomy from León. This coin's issuance was a crucial declaration of sovereignty, establishing a distinct Portuguese monetary system and signifying the nascent kingdom's self-governance on the peninsula.

Artistry: Artistically, this Dinheiro embodies the early medieval Iberian stylistic school. No specific engraver is known, typical for 12th-century coinage. The obverse features a stylized bust of the monarch, often crowned and facing left or right, rendered symbolically rather than as a realistic portrait, reflecting Romanesque numismatic traditions. The reverse typically displays a cross, frequently surrounded by a legend, executed with varying precision inherent to manual minting.

Technical/Grading: This billon (.450 silver) coin, 0.6 grams and 18 millimeters, showcases medieval hammer striking traits. High-points for wear include the crown and facial features of the obverse bust, and the center and arms of the reverse cross. Manual production often results in off-center or weak strikes, irregular planchets, and incomplete legends, particularly at the periphery. Billon composition means original luster is rare, with surfaces prone to minor pitting or encrustation.

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