I did have the opportunity to score a wonderful James I of Aragon Dinero, for very cheap. Interesting ruler, he battled the Almohad's in Spain and set out with fleet of ships Crusade in the Holy land after receiving an inivte from the Mongol Khan. Along the way he was shipwrecked then decided not to go. A smaller Spanish force arrived to help defend Achea but the ambush of Frankish troops by the Mamluks sent them sailing back to Spain. Portrait of mummified Head thanks to wikipedia. The head of James I was exhumed in 1856. Crusader Spain Kingdom of Aragon Spain, Barcelona Jaime (James i) AD 1213-1276 BI Dinero 19 mm x 1.02 grams Obverse: Crowned but of James I left, Latin Legend- +BARQVINON/T Reverse: Long Cross with alternating pellets and rings. Latin legend - IA CO BR E+ Ref: Crusfont (1982) 155 Type III Note: Rare Condition, Excellent strike. ex. Allen Berman
Outstanding coin from one of the more prominent rulers of Aragon, the bust and surfaces have as much detail as you could wish from that period.
very cool medieval coin AN! ....how creepy photograph of someone on a medieval coin...yikes. besides a square dirahm, i also have this coin from the holy roman empire that is contemporary with yours. holy roman empre archbishopric of salzburg eberhard II of regensburg 1200-1246
I have a handful of these and other rulers around the same period but none anywhere near as nice as yours. Damn that's a nice example.
That coin is in awesome condition, an early HRE silver is on my list. I would like your's more...if it were mine.
I am totally thrilled you like it. Coins of this period and region a generally pretty terrible. I was truly fortunate to be able to acquire this specimen very inexpensively from an authority on Crusader coins.