{"id":37915,"date":"2025-12-19T00:49:04","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T00:49:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/reconquista-coins-of-medieval-spain\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T00:49:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T00:49:04","slug":"reconquista-coins-of-medieval-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/reconquista-coins-of-medieval-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"Reconquista: Coins of Medieval Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Mike Markowitz<\/strong><\/a><\/span> for CoinWeek<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite an endless series of forays and several invasions intended to be permanent, the Muslims never succeeded in establishing a stable state much north of the line below which the olive grows\u2026<\/span>\u201d \u2014 Pratt (1956) page 92<\/p>\n

Short History of the Muslim Conquest of the Iberian Peninsula<\/h2>\n

In April 711, a Muslim force of roughly 7,000 men crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and landed on the Iberian Peninsula. Within just seven years, these armies dismantled the Visigothic kingdom and brought most of Iberia under the control of the Umayyad Caliphate. The conquerors named this territory al-Andalus<\/strong> [1]<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Although the Visigothic capital had stood at Toledo in the peninsula\u2019s center, the new rulers established their capital farther south at Cordoba (Qurtubah)<\/strong>, a city favored by Europe\u2019s warmest climate. From there, Muslim forces pushed northward and even occupied portions of Aquitania in southern France<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

However, resistance persisted. In the rugged northern regions of Spain, several Christian kingdoms survived. As a result, for nearly seven centuries, warfare, diplomacy, and shifting alliances between Muslims and Christians shaped the peninsula\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

The term Reconquista<\/strong> [2]<\/strong><\/span>\u2014meaning \u201creconquest\u201d, emerged much later. Nineteenth-century nationalist historians coined it, and Spain\u2019s Franco regime (1939\u20131975) promoted it as the dominant historical framework.<\/p>\n

In reality, the situation proved far more complex. Christian states frequently fought one another for land, wealth, and prestige. At the same time, periods of conflict alternated with eras of Convivencia<\/strong> [3]<\/strong><\/span>, \u201cliving together\u201d, marked by religious tolerance, trade, and cultural exchange.<\/p>\n

\"Barcelona.
Coins of Medieval Spain<\/strong> \u2013 Barcelona. Llu\u00eds el Piet\u00f3s(814-840). Barcelona. Diner. (Cru.V.S. 5 var) Very rare,1,69 g. \u2013 \u00c1ureo & Calic\u00f3 > Auction 429 \u2013 14 March 2024<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolingian Dynasty<\/h2>\n

Meanwhile, Frankish rulers of the Carolingian dynasty<\/strong> (c. 751\u2013987) launched a counteroffensive across the Pyrenees into northeastern Spain. In 801, Louis \u201cthe Pious,\u201d<\/strong> son of Charlemagne, captured Barcelona. Nevertheless, the city would change hands multiple times in the centuries that followed.<\/p>\n

During this period, rare silver deniers<\/strong> bearing the name of Louis, HLUDOVVICUS<\/strong> in Latin, were struck at the Barcelona mint<\/strong>. These coins prominently display the city\u2019s ancient name, BARCINONA<\/strong>, in bold letters on the reverse [4]<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"Coins
Coins of Medieval Spain<\/strong> \u2013 Catalu\u00f1a. Barcelona (county). Borrell II. 947-992. Diner (14mm, 0.60 g). Short cross patt\u00e9e \/ Three annulets. Crusafont 1814 \u2013 Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 531 \u2013 25 January 2023<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Barcelona and the End of Frankish Protection<\/h2>\n

Over time, the County of Barcelona<\/strong> drifted toward independence from the Carolingian Empire. In 985, Muslim forces led by Almanzor<\/strong> [5]<\/strong><\/span>\u2014Abu \u02bfAmer Mu\u1e25ammad ibn \u02bfAbdull\u0101h (c. 938\u20131002), known as al-Mansur<\/em>, \u201cthe Victorious\u201d, attacked and burned the city, then ruled by Count Borrell II<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Borrell fled into the mountains, expecting Frankish aid that never came. In the aftermath, he issued small, heavily debased silver diners<\/strong> [6]<\/strong><\/span>, weighing about 0.6 grams. These coins show three rings on one side and a cross on the other, accompanied by garbled inscriptions, clear evidence that literacy and administrative stability had declined during these turbulent years.<\/p>\n

\"Coins
Coins of Medieval Spain<\/strong> \u2013 County of Barcelona. Ramon Berenguer I (1035-1076). Mancuso. Barcelona. (Cru V.S-26). (Cru C.G-1826). Anv.: (R)AIMVNDVS COME(S), retrograde and exterior. Au. 1,75 g. Imitating the dinars of Yahya Ibn Ali Al-Mutali of Ceuta, Tauler & Fau > Auction 160 \u2013 24 June 2025 <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Barcelona Ascends in Catalonia<\/h2>\n

Ramon Berenguer I<\/strong>, known as \u201cthe Old,\u201d ruled as Count of Barcelona from 1035 to 1076. Born around 1023, he succeeded his father, Berenguer Ramon I \u201cthe Crooked,\u201d<\/strong> in 1035.<\/p>\n

During his reign, Barcelona rose to dominance in Catalonia. Ramon Berenguer I campaigned aggressively against Muslim states, extracting heavy tribute and, in turn, fueling a wave of prosperity. At the same time, Catalan naval power expanded across the western Mediterranean, while Barcelona gained land and influence north of the Pyrenees.<\/p>\n

After his death, his twin sons, Ramon Berenguer II<\/strong> and Berenguer Ramon II<\/strong>, succeeded him. Ramon\u2019s gold coinage notably imitates the dinar of Yahya al-Mutadi<\/strong>, Caliph of Cordoba (c. 1021\u20131036). These coins display his Latin name and title, RAIMVNDVS COMES<\/strong>, surrounding garbled Arabic inscriptions [7]<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"Coins
Coins of Medieval Spain<\/strong> \u2013 SANCHO GARC\u00c9S IV (1054-76). Pamplona. Dinero.SANCIUS REX:. Rv\/ NAVARA. \u2013 Cay\u00f3n Numism\u00e1tica > May 2012 Auction \u2013 16 May 2012 <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Spanish Christian States and Navarre<\/h2>\n

For centuries, the small kingdom of Navarra (Navarre)<\/strong>, with its capital at Pamplona, functioned as a buffer between the Umayyad Caliphate and the Carolingian world.<\/p>\n

In 987, Sancho II<\/strong> assumed the title \u201cKing of Navarre.\u201d Under Sancho III \u201cthe Great\u201d<\/strong> (r. 1004\u20131035), the kingdom expanded significantly and sought to unify Christian Spain against an increasingly fragmented Muslim south.<\/p>\n

After Sancho III\u2019s death, Sancho IV<\/strong> ascended the throne in 1054 at just 14 years old, following the death of his father, Garc\u00eda S\u00e1nchez III<\/strong>, in battle against Le\u00f3n. Sancho IV likely became the first Navarrese ruler to strike coins in his own name.<\/p>\n

His debased silver dinero<\/strong> bears a crude profile bust and the Latin inscription SANCIUS REX<\/strong>. The reverse shows a stylized floral motif topped by a cross and stars, accompanied by the kingdom\u2019s name, NAVARA<\/strong> [8]<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"Coins
Coins of Medieval Spain<\/strong> \u2013 Castile & Le\u00f3n. Alfonso VIII. King of Castile, 1158-1214. Gold Morabetino (26.1mm, 3.79 g, 9h). Madinat Tulaitula (Toledo) mint. Dated 1228 Safar (AD 1190). Vives 2027; AB 153.5; Cayon 1023. Good VF, minor edge marks. Rare. date in the Safa era, which begins in 38 b.C, the year Augustus completed the conquest of Hispania. \u2013 Classical Numismatic Group > Islamic Auction 9 \u2013 25 April 2025 <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alfonso VIII of Castile<\/h2>\n

One of the most fascinating monetary developments of twelfth-century Spain was the emergence of the morabitini<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Alfonso VIII of Castile<\/strong>, whose realm contained a large Moorish population and who maintained close ties with the Islamic world, struck gold morabitini (alfonsini)<\/strong> at Toledo from the 1180s onward. Although written in Arabic, these coins conveyed explicitly Christian messages.<\/p>\n

Remarkably, they were dated neither by the Christian calendar nor by the Hijra, but instead by the Spanish Era<\/strong>, calculated from Augustus\u2019 conquest in 38 BC [Grierson, page 103].<\/p>\n

Born in 1155, Alfonso VIII, son of Sancho III of Castile<\/strong> and Blanche of Navarre<\/strong>, became king in 1158. Because he inherited the throne as a child, factional struggles plagued his early reign. However, by age 15, he secured control of Toledo, located roughly 42 miles (68 km) southwest of modern Madrid.<\/p>\n

In 1170, Alfonso married Eleanor of England<\/strong>, daughter of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.<\/p>\n

The Almoravids<\/h2>\n

The morabitino<\/strong>, or maravedi<\/strong>, derives its name from the Almoravid dynasty<\/strong> (), which ruled parts of Iberia and North Africa from approximately 1050 to 1147.<\/em><\/p>\n

Almoravid gold dinars circulated widely across Spain and served as models for Christian coinage. Alfonso\u2019s coins display elegant Arabic Kufic script<\/strong>, interrupted only by the bold Latin letters ALF<\/strong>, abbreviating his name. A prominent cross on the obverse clearly proclaims Castile\u2019s Christian identity [9]<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

The obverse inscription declares in Arabic, \u201cThe imam of the Christians is the Pope<\/strong>,\u201d while a surrounding Biblical verse (Mark 16:16) warns of salvation and condemnation. The reverse names Alfonso as \u201cPrince of the Catholics\u201d and records the coin\u2019s striking at Tulaitula (Toledo)<\/strong> in 1188 CE.<\/p>\n

Medieval Spain \u2013 Alfonso VIII<\/h2>\n

As a tangible symbol of medieval Spain\u2019s multicultural society, where Islamic, Christian, and Jewish traditions<\/strong> coexisted, the morabitino of Alfonso VIII ranks among the greatest medieval coins.<\/p>\n

\"Coins
Coins of Medieval Spain<\/strong> \u2013 Pedro II (1196-1213). Arag\u00f3n. Dinero. Billon: PETR:REX. Reverse: ARA-GON Cross on tree AB IV 302. 0.9 g. \u2013 Cay\u00f3n Numism\u00e1tica > June 2021 Auction \u2013 10 June 2021 <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pratt (1956) described Alfonso vividly, portraying him as both a chivalric hero and a deeply flawed man, beloved by troubadours and notorious for excess [Pratt (1956) page 104].<\/p>\n

Peter II<\/h2>\n

Peter II<\/strong>, King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona from 1196 to 1213, earned the title \u201cthe Catholic<\/strong>\u201d after being crowned in Rome by Pope Innocent III<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Through marriage to a French princess, Peter expanded his holdings in southern France. At the pivotal Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa<\/strong> in 1212 [10]<\/strong><\/span>, he commanded the left flank of a united Christian army that shattered the Almohad Caliphate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

His debased silver dinero<\/strong> shows a crowned profile portrait with the inscription PETR REX<\/strong> [11]<\/strong><\/span>. The reverse depicts a cross above a tree, a symbol that still appears in Aragonese heraldry.<\/p>\n

Peter\u2019s intervention in the Albigensian Crusade proved fatal. He died in battle at Muret<\/strong> in 1213 [12]<\/strong>, leaving the throne to his son, James I \u201cthe Conqueror.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Coins
Coins of Medieval Spain<\/strong> \u2013 Sancho VII, the Strong (1194-1234). Dinero. Navarre. SANCIVS \u00b7 REX. Bust to left. Rev. NAVARRORVM. Crescent and starry roundel. Bi. 0,82 g \u2013 Tauler & Fau > Auction 144 \u2013 24 June 2024 <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sancho VII \u201cthe Strong\u201d<\/h2>\n

Sancho VII of Navarre<\/strong>, known as \u201cthe Strong,\u201d ruled from 1194 until 1234. Standing an estimated 7\u20193\u201d (2.2 m)<\/strong> tall, he led the decisive charge at Las Navas de Tolosa that killed the Almohad Caliph Muhammad al-Nasir<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Legend holds that the Caliph\u2019s slave warriors were chained together, inspiring the golden chain motif<\/strong> that became Navarre\u2019s royal arms [13]<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Sancho\u2019s rare silver dinero<\/strong> bears the inscription SANCIVS REX [14]<\/span><\/strong>. Surprisingly, the reverse features a star and crescent<\/strong>, symbols often associated with Islam, an intriguing reflection of Navarre\u2019s relative tolerance and cultural sophistication.<\/p>\n

\"Coins
Coins of Medieval Spain<\/strong> \u2013 Aragon. Jaime I (1213-1276). Dinero. Valencia. (Cru C.G-2129). (Cru V.S-316). Bi. 0,84g. \u2013 Tauler & Fau > Auction 150 \u2013 28 October 2024 <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

James I \u201cthe Conqueror\u201d<\/h2>\n

James I of Aragon<\/strong> reigned for an unprecedented 62 years<\/strong> beginning in 1213. A skilled administrator and lawgiver, he expanded Aragonese power by conquering the Balearic Islands<\/strong> and Valencia<\/strong> from Muslim rule.<\/p>\n

A patron of culture and literature, James authored an autobiography in Catalan. His silver dinero<\/strong>, struck at Valencia, shows a crowned bust with IACOBVS REX<\/strong>, while the reverse displays a stylized tree surmounted by a cross [15]<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"Coins
Coins of Medieval Spain<\/strong> \u2013 Fernando III (1217-1252). Dinero. Coru\u00f1a. (Bautista-328.2). (Abm-211). Bi. 0,77 g. The O of MONETA between three roundels on each side. \u2013 Tauler & Fau Auction 121 \u2013 31 January 2023 <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ferdinand III<\/h2>\n

Born around 1200, Ferdinand III<\/strong> unified the crowns of Castile, Le\u00f3n, and Galicia. Between 1228 and 1248, he led a series of successful campaigns against the Almohads, capturing Cordoba<\/strong> in 1236 and Seville<\/strong> in 1248.<\/p>\n

Canonized in 1671, Ferdinand left a lasting legacy. His silver dineros<\/strong> omit his name, instead bearing MONETA<\/strong> and the mint name, such as LEGIONIS<\/strong>, alongside a lion symbol [16]<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"Coins
Coins of Medieval Spain<\/strong> \u2013 Castile & Le\u00f3n. Fernando V & Isabel I (Los Reyes Cat\u00f3licos \u2013 the Catholic royals). 1474-1504. AV Dobla excelente (27mm) Sevilla (Seville) mint. Struck after 1497. Crowned confronted busts of Fernando and Isabel; X above, S below \/ Crowned coat-of-arms; behind, eagle facing, head left, Cf. MEC 6, 772 (for type); Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 587 \u2013 21 May 2025 <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ferdinand and Isabella<\/h2>\n

The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon<\/strong> and Isabella of Castile<\/strong> in 1469 united Spain\u2019s most powerful kingdoms. Together, they completed the Reconquista, expelled the Jews, launched the Inquisition, financed Columbus, and laid the groundwork for a global empire.<\/p>\n

Their gold double excelente<\/strong> [17]<\/strong><\/span> displays their facing crowned busts and a richly symbolic reverse bearing the combined arms of Spain beneath a Biblical inscription from the Psalms.<\/p>\n

Collecting the Reconquista<\/h3>\n

Medieval Spanish coins appear mainly in the auctions of Spanish and Portuguese coin dealers. They did not circulate widely outside the Iberian peninsula.<\/p>\n

The American Numismatic Society<\/strong><\/a><\/span> in New York holds an important collection originally assembled by the legendary collector Archer M. Huntington (1870- 1955)<\/strong> for the Hispanic Society of America.<\/p>\n

The standard reference in English is Crusafont et. al. (2013).<\/p>\n

[1]<\/strong><\/span> https:\/\/coinweek.com\/al-andalus-coinage-of-islamic-spain\/<\/em><\/span>
\n[2]<\/strong> <\/span>https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Reconquista<\/em><\/span>
\n[3]<\/strong><\/span> https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Convivencia<\/em><\/span>
\n[4]<\/strong><\/span> Aureo & Calico Auction 429, March 14, 2024, Lot 40, realized \u20ac7,500 ($8,166)<\/em><\/span>
\n[5]<\/strong><\/span> https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Almanzor<\/em><\/span>
\n[6]<\/strong><\/span> CNG E-Auction 531, 25 January 2023, Lot 1475, realize $700<\/em><\/span>
\n[7]<\/strong><\/span> Tauler & Fau Auction 160, June 24 2025, Lot 85, realized \u20ac4,000 ($4,647)<\/em><\/span>
\n[8]<\/strong><\/span> Cayon Numismatica, May 16,2012, Lot 221, realized \u20ac420 ($535)<\/em><\/span>
\n[9]<\/strong><\/span> CNG Islamic Auction 9, April 25, 2025, Lot 146 realized $3,250<\/em><\/span>
\n[10]<\/strong><\/span> https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_Las_Navas_de_Tolosa<\/em><\/span>
\n[11]<\/strong><\/span> Cayon Numismatica,June 10, 2021, Lot 1766, realized $146<\/em><\/span>
\n[12]<\/strong><\/span> https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_Muret<\/em><\/span>
\n[13]<\/strong><\/span> https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Coat_of_arms_of_Navarre<\/em><\/span>
\n[14]<\/strong><\/span> Tauler & Fau, Auction 144, June 24, 2024, Lot 1117, realized $697<\/em><\/span>
\n[15]<\/strong><\/span> Tauler & Fau, Auction 150, October 28, 2024, Lot 126, realized $195<\/em><\/span>
\n[16]<\/strong><\/span> Tauler & Fau, Auction 121, January 31, 2023, Lot 86, realized $272<\/em><\/span>
\n[17]<\/strong> <\/span>CNG Electronic Auction 587, May 21, 2025, Lot: 1108, realized: $2,250<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

References<\/strong>
\nCarson, R.A.G. Coins of the World. New York (1962)
\nCarvajal de la Vega, David. \u201cCastilian monetary system during the Middle Ages:
\ncontinuity and change.\u201d in Money and Its Circulation in Western Eurasia in the
\nPre-Modern Times. Kumamoto, Japan (2020)
\nCrusafont, Miquel, Anna Balaguer and Philp Grierson. Medieval European
\nCoinage 6: The Iberian Peninsula. Cambridge (2013)
\nGrierson, Philp. Coins of Medieval Europe. London (1991)
\nMackay, Angus and David Ditchburn. Atlas of Medieval Europe. London (1997)
\nPratt, Fletcher. The Battles that Changed History. Mineola, NY (1956)<\/p>\n

The post Reconquista: Coins of Medieval Spain<\/a> appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek \u201cDespite an endless series of forays and several invasions intended to be permanent, the Muslims never succeeded in establishing a stable state much north of the line below which the olive grows\u2026\u201d \u2014 Pratt (1956) page 92 Short History of the Muslim Conquest of the Iberian Peninsula In April 711, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37915","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-finance"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-10-25 17:18:39","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37915","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37915"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37915\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37915"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37915"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}