Medieval France | Silver Denier

History of the Artifact These coins were minted nearly a millenium ago in Feudal France. These coins were known as “Deniers”, a name borrowed after the famous Roman silver “Denarius” coin (Also on sale in our store); in English it is sometimes referred to as a silver penny. The first Medieval Deniers were minted in the 7th Century under the Franks who established a silver-based monetary system known as the Carolingian monetary system, which standardized denominations, with 12 deniers equaling one solidus (shilling) and 240 deniers equaling one libra (pound). This structure provided consistency for everyday transactions while setting the foundation for future European currencies. These deniers were primarily made of silver and were the standard currency in many regions of France during this time. They were typically struck under the authority of local lords, bishops, or monastic institutions, as well as by the ruling monarch. The coins often had their initials inscribed on the obverse