Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 464 25 Mar 2020
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GERMANY, Aachen (Reichsmünzstätte). Friedrich I Barbarossa. 1152-1190. AR Pfennig (16mm, 1.31 g, 11h). FRЄDЄRI IMPR, Friedrich enthroned facing, holding sword and lis-tipped scepter; star to right / + ROMA CAPVT MVNDI, city wall with towers and arched main entrance. Cf. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe 169; Menadier 28; Förschner 5. Toned, areas of weak strike. VF.
From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins, purchased from Andy Singer, 2005.
Frederick I Barbarossa was one of the greatest German Holy Roman Emperors. He addressed the problems that had caused infighting between the various German magnates, ending the civil wars that plagued Germany for years. In addition, he reinforced the power of the Emperor over the Papacy regarding temporal matters. He also recovered imperial rights in northern and central Italy, and revitalized the military and administrative powers within the empire. Under Barbarossa, the German empire certainly reached a high-point. In 1189, the emperor endeavored to bring a great German crusade to the Holy Lands. At the time, Saladin's advances were having a grave effect, and outside help was needed by the Christian armies. Barbarossa gathered a huge army, numbering near 100,000, and marched towards Outremer. By 1190, he was on the verge of entering the arena, and probably would have pushed the odds far into the crusaders' favor. Unfortunately, while crossing the river Seleucia with his army, Frederick drowned, and his army disintegrated; only around 1000 German crusaders completed the journey.
From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins, purchased from Andy Singer, 2005.
Frederick I Barbarossa was one of the greatest German Holy Roman Emperors. He addressed the problems that had caused infighting between the various German magnates, ending the civil wars that plagued Germany for years. In addition, he reinforced the power of the Emperor over the Papacy regarding temporal matters. He also recovered imperial rights in northern and central Italy, and revitalized the military and administrative powers within the empire. Under Barbarossa, the German empire certainly reached a high-point. In 1189, the emperor endeavored to bring a great German crusade to the Holy Lands. At the time, Saladin's advances were having a grave effect, and outside help was needed by the Christian armies. Barbarossa gathered a huge army, numbering near 100,000, and marched towards Outremer. By 1190, he was on the verge of entering the arena, and probably would have pushed the odds far into the crusaders' favor. Unfortunately, while crossing the river Seleucia with his army, Frederick drowned, and his army disintegrated; only around 1000 German crusaders completed the journey.