Catalog
| Issuer | March of Istria-Carniola (Austrian States) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1204-1205 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1 Pfennig (1) |
| Currency | Pfennig (1000-1600) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 0.76 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | CNA#Ci6a |
| Obverse description | Bust with a lance (boar spear) in the right hand and a fleur-de-lis in the left. Only the left part of the pallium is decorated with dots. Inscription around the outside between two circular lines. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | HENR[I]C[VS COME]S |
| Reverse description | Church facade with a cross-topped gable and two side towers. Double beaded circle on the exterior. |
| Reverse script | |
| Reverse lettering | |
| Edge | Plain |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (1204-1205) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 1003077220 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This Pfennig was issued by the March of Istria-Carniola between 1204 and 1205, under Henry IV, Duke of Merania and Margrave. The House of Andechs-Merania was a powerful regional dynasty within the Holy Roman Empire, asserting its influence in southeastern Alpine lands. These silver Pfennigs served as crucial instruments for local trade and economic exchange, reflecting the growing monetary economy of the early 13th century and the ducal prerogative of coinage in this strategically vital frontier region.
Artistry: Characteristic of early medieval coinage, the engraver remains anonymous, aligning with Romanesque stylistic conventions. The design, typical for the "Stein in Oberkrain" (Kamnik) mint, likely features a stylized bust on the obverse, representing the ruler or a local saint, paired with a geometric or architectural motif on the reverse. Its robustly provincial execution prioritizes symbolic representation over naturalistic detail, a hallmark of regional mints during this era.
Technical/Grading: Struck in silver, this coin measures 19 mm and weighs 0.76 grams, standard dimensions for broad, thin Pfennigs of the period. Typical high-points for wear or weak strike would include central features of any bust (e.g., nose, crown) or the intersection of a cross. Technical strike quality often exhibits irregularities such as off-center strikes, minor planchet flaws, and variable pressure, reflecting manual minting. Collectors should anticipate these characteristics as inherent to the type, not defects.