Morabitino of Sancho II

The Morabitino of Sancho II was one of the earliest silver coins in Portugal to incorporate Arabic numerals, a nod to the Almoravid influences from across the Strait of Gibraltar.

This coin, struck in silver during his reign from 1223 to 1248, likely came from Lisbon or one of the royal mints, though exact locations remain debated among historians. Its design featured a simple cross on the obverse, surrounded by lettering that echoed Islamic coinage styles, reflecting the cultural blends of the Reconquista era. We know Sancho used these coins to fund his military campaigns, but precise mintage figures vanished with medieval records.

Obverses sometimes showed wear from poor planchet quality, a common issue in early medieval minting. As for myths, no, it wasn't cursed—though handling one after a long day might feel that way. What we don't know is how widely it circulated beyond Iberia; trade routes suggest it reached North Africa, but that's speculation.