Denier ND


Silver	0.85 g	-

Description

Issuer	Abbey of Nivelles (Belgian States)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Years	1041-1060
Value	1 Denier (1⁄240)
Composition	Silver
Weight	0.85 g
Shape	Round (irregular)
Technique	Hammered
Orientation	Variable alignment ↺
Demonetized	Yes
Updated	2024-10-04

References

Numista	N#215323
Rarity index	100%

Reverse

Cross pattée with alpha and omega in 1st and 4th cantons.

Scripts: Greek, Latin

Lettering: S GERTRVDIS VIRGO

Unabridged legend: Sanctus Gertrudis Virgo

Translation: Saint Getrude Virgin.

Comment

"At the beginning of the 11th century, Lambert le Barbu, Count of Louvain, proclaimed himself avowal of the Abbey of Nivelles. His successor Henry I took advantage of this to strip the abbey of a large part of its temporal estate. In 1040, Abbess Richeta obtained from Emperor Henry III the restitution of property usurped by the Counts of Louvain. The imperial diploma also granted the abbey the right to mint coins. Count Lambert II refused to comply, and the imperial decision was confirmed by a new act in 1041. The abbess of Nivelles obtained further pontifical confirmations from popes Clement VI, in 1047, and Leo IX, in 1048. This denarius has been seen as the product of the minting of the abbey workshop usurped by the Counts of Leuven in the first half of the 11th century, but finds prove that it dates from the middle of the 11th century and is contemporary with the Brussels denarius. The stylistic similarity of these two coins is obvious. Perhaps they were both minted in Brussels. The abbey of Nivelles owned a piece of land there."
Jean Elsen & sons Automatically translated

This is an automatic translation. The original text is:

"Au début du 11e siècle, le comte de Louvain Lambert le Barbu se proclama avoué de l'abbaye de Nivelles. Son successeur Henri Ier en profita pour dépouiller celle-ci d'une grande partie de son temporel. En 1040, l'abbesse Richeta obtint de l'empereur Henri III la restitution des biens usurpés par les comtes de Louvain. Le diplôme impérial concédait aussi à l'abbaye le droit de frapper monnaie. Le comte Lambert II refusant de s'exécuter, la décision impériale fut confirmée par un nouvel acte établi en 1041. L'abbesse de Nivelles en obtint encore des confirmations pontificales des papes Clément VI, en 1047, et Léon IX, en 1048. On a voulu voir dans ce denier le produit de la frappe de l'atelier abbatial usurpé par les comtes de Louvain, dans la première moitié du 11e siècle, mais les trouvailles prouvent qu'il date du milieu du 11e siècle et est contemporain du denier de Bruxelles. La ressemblance stylistique de ces deux pièces est d'ailleurs évidente. Peut-être furent-elles toutes deux frappées à Bruxelles. L'abbaye de Nivelles y était en effet propriétaire d'un terrain."
Jean Elsen & ses fils

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the Standard circulation coin Denier ND (1041-1060) from Abbey of Nivelles (Belgian States) made of Silver weighing 0.85 g is that it was minted during a time of great religious and political significance. The Abbey of Nivelles was a powerful and influential religious institution in the region, and the coin's minting was likely closely tied to the abbey's economic and political interests. The use of silver in the coin's production also speaks to the value and prestige associated with this precious metal during the time period.

medieval