Medieval Coins
Discover the fascinating coinage of the Medieval period, featuring kings, castles, heraldic symbols, and the economic systems that shaped Europe from the fall of Rome to the Renaissance.
Medieval Kingdoms & Regions
English Coinage
Silver pennies of Anglo-Saxon and Norman kings, featuring monarch portraits and cross designs from 8th-15th centuries.
View English CoinsFrench Coinage
Deniers and gros tournois featuring fleur-de-lis, castles, and royal portraits from Carolingian to Valois periods.
View French CoinsHoly Roman Empire
Bracteates, pfennigs, and groschen with imperial eagles, saints, and architectural designs from German states.
View HRE CoinsCrusader States
Silver deniers and bezants from Outremer kingdoms featuring crosses, castles, and Arabic inscriptions.
View Crusader CoinsFeatured Medieval Coins
Edward I Penny
Silver long cross penny, 13th century England
High Medieval
Gros Tournois
French silver coin with castle, 13th century
Gothic Period
Crusader Bezant
Gold coin from Kingdom of Jerusalem, 12th century
Crusader EraMedieval Coin Types
Penny
Standard silver coin throughout medieval Europe, featuring monarch portraits and cross designs.
Groat
Four-penny piece introduced in 13th century, larger silver coin for major transactions.
Noble
Gold coin introduced in 14th century, featuring royal ships and elaborate designs.
Bracteate
Thin silver coin with one-sided design, common in German states and Eastern Europe.
Medieval Heraldic Symbols
Lion Rampant
Symbol of royal power and courage, featured on English and Scottish coinage.
Castle & Tower
Representing feudal authority, fortifications, and municipal power.
Fleur-de-lis
Symbol of French monarchy and divine right of kings.
Cross & Crosier
Christian symbolism representing the Church's influence on medieval society.
Medieval Historical Timeline
Anglo-Saxon England
Sceattas and silver pennies with runic inscriptions and early Christian symbols
Norman Conquest
William the Conqueror introduces cross-and-crosslets penny design
Short & Long Cross
Henry II's coinage reform with cross designs to prevent clipping
Gold Coinage Introduction
Edward III introduces noble, marking return to gold coinage in England
Medieval Coins FAQ
Medieval coins circulated for centuries, were frequently clipped for silver, and suffered from poor storage conditions. Many were buried for safekeeping during wars and never recovered, leading to corrosion and damage over time.
Medieval monarchs are identified by their portrait style, crown types, inscriptions (often in Latin), and mint marks. Reference books and online databases help match specific features like beard styles, crown designs, and legend abbreviations to particular rulers.
The most valuable medieval coins include gold nobles in exceptional condition, rare Anglo-Saxon pennies, crusader bezants, and coins from short-reigned monarchs. Coins with historical significance or from important hoards also command premium prices.
Medieval coins continued the hammer-struck method but with improved die-cutting techniques. However, quality varied greatly by period and region. Some periods saw highly artistic designs, while others featured crude, quickly produced coinage during times of crisis.