Navarrese Denier of Garcia Ramirez

The denier of Garcia Ramirez stands out for its inscription, "GARSIA REX," which boldly claimed the king's authority on a coin no larger than a modern thumbnail.

This silver piece, struck in Pamplona during his reign from 1134 to 1150, featured a simple cross on the reverse, reflecting the era's Christian symbolism amid the Reconquista. Weights varied, typically around 0.5 grams, as minting techniques were rudimentary and inconsistent. We know these coins circulated in trade across the Pyrenees, but exact export figures remain elusive, lost to time and scant records.

Mintage estimates? Forget it—most documents burned in later conflicts, so we're left guessing. One dry note: If you squint, the denier's design resembles a poorly inked seal; no wonder forgers tried their hand.