Pfennig - Henry IV Stein in Oberkrain
| Emisor | March of Istria-Carniola (Austrian States) |
|---|---|
| Año | 1204-1205 |
| Tipo | Standard circulation coin |
| Valor | 1 Pfennig (1) |
| Moneda | Pfennig (1000-1600) |
| Composición | Silver |
| Peso | 0.76 g |
| Diámetro | 19 mm |
| Grosor | |
| Forma | Round (irregular) |
| Técnica | Hammered |
| Orientación | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Grabador(es) | |
| En circulación hasta | |
| Referencia(s) | CNA#Ci6a |
| Descripción del anverso | 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. |
|---|---|
| Escritura del anverso | Latin |
| Leyenda del anverso | HENR[I]C[VS COME]S |
| Descripción del reverso | Church facade with a cross-topped gable and two side towers. Double beaded circle on the exterior. |
| Escritura del reverso | |
| Leyenda del reverso | |
| Canto | Plain |
| Casa de moneda | |
| Tirada |
ND (1204-1205) - - |
| ID de Numisquare | 1003077220 |
| Información adicional |
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Historical Context: This 1204-1205 Pfennig hails from the March of Istria-Carniola, a Holy Roman Empire frontier. "Henry IV Stein in Oberkrain" refers to a powerful local lord, likely Henry IV of the House of Stein (Kamen) in Upper Carniola, not the Emperor. During imperial instability (Hohenstaufen-Welf conflict), regional magnates exercised regalian rights, including coinage. This issue highlights significant feudal autonomy and decentralized monetary authority in early 13th-century German lands, as local lords filled power vacuums.
Artistry: Characteristic of early 13th-century regional Pfennigs, the artistry adheres to the late Romanesque style, prioritizing symbolic representation. Individual engraver signatures are unknown. Designs, likely a stylized bust, cross, or architectural motif, were rendered with robust, simplified lines. The primary goal was functional legibility and clear identification of the issuer, not intricate artistic detail, reflecting the practical demands of a feudal economy.
Technical/Grading: For this 0.76 gg, 19 mmmm silver Pfennig, optimal grading prioritizes a well-centered strike, often elusive. Key high-points for detail include the central device—head, cross, or architectural element—where fine features are frequently weak or flat. Legibility of any surrounding legends, often off-flan or incomplete, is also crucial. Minimal flan damage, such as cracks or severe bends, is highly desirable for this thin-flanned type, common due to medieval minting imperfections.