© Carlos Costa (CC0)
© Carlos Costa (CC0)
Dinheiro "Bust" - Afonso I ND
| Billon (.450 silver) | 0.6 g | 18 mm |
| Issuer | Portugal |
|---|---|
| King | Afonso I (1139-1185) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1139-1185 |
| Value | 1 Dinheiro |
| Currency | Libra (1st Dynasty, 1128-1383) |
| Composition | Billon (.450 silver) |
| Weight | 0.6 g |
| Diameter | 18 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-07 |
| Numista | N#369157 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Christo Cross with crescents at 1st and 3rd corner
Script: Latin
Lettering: REX PORTVGA
Comment
The 1st type, with bust, is a controversial piece for two reasons:
1. The use of a punch per letter only appears at the end of the reign of King Dinis. Even the Morabitinos of the time used compound letters.
2. The use of letters identifying the mint house appeared for the first time in the reign of King Fernando, about 200 years later. Or is it OO and not CO? Restorations, instead of helping, always increase doubts.
This coin was found, along with two others, around 1990, on the slope of Palmela castle and the find is documented. We therefore exclude the possibility of being a contemporary forgery. In the same place, only coins of Afonso I, Sancho I, Afonso II and Arab coins from the same period were found.
The best of the three (above pict), is now part of the NOVO BANCO Collection.
Could it be that it was made by minters who accompanied the Crusaders who helped King Afonso I in the conquest of Lisbon? Let's hope for new findings and studies that will help us clarify the enigma.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Standard circulation coin Dinheiro "Bust" - Afonso I ND (1139-1185) from Portugal is that it features a unique design element - the king's bust is depicted facing towards the right, which was a departure from the traditional left-facing portraits seen on most coins of that time. This distinctive feature makes the coin stand out and has contributed to its popularity among collectors.
