Fribourg Denier

The Fribourg Denier, despite its humble copper composition, was often overstruck on older coins to extend their use, a practical trick in an era when metal was scarce.

This made for some irregular designs, with faint remnants of previous mints peeking through the new stamps. Fribourg's version typically featured a simple cross or the city's arms, struck between the 14th and 15th centuries as the city asserted its independence in the Swiss Confederation.

Exact mintage figures? Lost to time, probably in some archive fire or medieval scrap heap. Variations exist, like those with edge clips from wear, but they're not rare enough to excite the market.

After handling these for decades, I've noticed how they tarnish evenly, unlike the flashy gold pieces that collectors fawn over. It's a solid little coin, no more, no less.