Catalan Denarius

The Catalan Denarius boldly inscribed the name of its issuer, like Count Ramon Berenguer, on its obverse, turning a simple silver penny into a medieval business card.

This coin, struck in the County of Barcelona between roughly 1100 and 1200, was typically made from debased silver, reflecting the era's economic pressures. Designs varied, but most featured a cross on the reverse, symbolizing both faith and authority. Planchets were often irregular, hammered out by hand in local mints that operated more like workshops than factories.

We don't know exact mintage figures; records from that time are scarce, lost to fires or simply never kept. What survives shows these denarii circulated widely in trade, from markets in Barcelona to distant ports.

One oddity: I've handled denarii that look pristine, only to find they've been cleaned with everything from acid to elbow grease. Pity the poor coin that's been over-restored.