Asturian Triens

The Asturian Triens was one of the earliest gold coins produced in post-Roman Western Europe, struck during a period when most currencies had devolved into base metals or barter.

This coin, typically weighing around 1.5 grams, featured simple designs like a cross or monogram on one side, reflecting the Christian identity of the Asturian kingdom amid the Islamic conquest of Iberia. Minters likely used gold from regional sources, though exact origins remain unclear due to sparse records from the era.

We don't know the precise mintage figures; what survives are mostly hoards unearthed in northern Spain. Some specimens show signs of wear from circulation, hinting at their role in trade along the Cantabrian coast.

And while myths persist about these coins funding heroic battles, they were probably just practical currency for taxes and markets.