Post Your Old Times Deniers And Pennies (600-1700 C. E.)

This Pfennig from the second half of the 15th Century in Würzburg is uniface, but the design really shows up well on the rev too:

Very nice and interesting coin, Spence.

What do you think of the monogram? It intrigued me, but I could not find an explanation for it in Numista. After some research I believe it stands for Episcopus Bruno, that is, Bishop Bruno. He was bishop of Würzburg 1034-1045 and his many good deeds led to him being venerated as a saint.

Yes, the substantial time difference looks odd, so I looked more into this.

Bishop Bruno was not the average medieval town bishop, it seems. He had close contacts with the Holy Roman Emperor and accompanied him on several travels across the empire. He was a peace maker, he contributed to schools and the education of the clergy, his extensive commentary on the Psalms was highly regarded for centuries to follow. Not least, he began planning and building of the Würzburg Cathedral, which still stands. And on that cathedral, one finds what is called the "Bruno monogram":


Source: Website of Bistum Würzburg.

So, Bruno was remembered. Soon after his burial (in the cathedral crypt), there were reports of miraculous healings at his grave. He was never formally canonized by the church but was nevertheless venerated as a saint.

The two coins in Numista from Bruno's own time do not use the "Bruno monogram", but several later coins do. I suppose that is part veneration and, perhaps, part let his good reputation instill trust in the coins? In any event, one can say Bruno left a lasting impression, quite literally.

great research era! Nice to learn new stuff from time to time.

Great addition, Spence.

Nice examples!

wow, now that is a thin coin.. very nice!!