Coins mint during Ancient and Medieval Periods of Spain

During the Ancient and Medieval periods in what is now Spain, various civilizations and kingdoms minted coins for trade and commerce. Here are some examples of coins minted during these periods:

Iberian Coinage: Before the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, native tribes such as the Iberians and Celtiberians minted their own coinage. These coins, known as Iberian coinage, typically featured abstract designs, symbols, or representations of animals.

Roman Provincial Coinage: After the Roman conquest of Hispania (the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula), Roman provincial authorities minted coins in various cities throughout the region. These coins were often based on Roman denominations and featured the portraits of Roman emperors, along with local symbols or inscriptions.

Visigothic Coinage: Following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the Visigoths established a kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula. Visigothic kings minted their own coinage, which often imitated Roman designs. Visigothic coins typically featured Christian symbols, such as crosses or Chi-Rho monograms, alongside the portraits of kings.

Islamic Coinage: With the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century, Muslim rulers established emirates and caliphates in Al-Andalus (Islamic Spain). Islamic authorities minted their own coinage, known as dinars and dirhams, which were based on Islamic standards. These coins featured Arabic inscriptions and often depicted religious or geometric designs.

Christian Kingdoms: During the Reconquista (the Christian reconquest of Spain from Muslim rule), various Christian kingdoms emerged in the northern regions of the Iberian Peninsula. These kingdoms, such as Castile, Aragon, and Leon, minted their own coinage. Coins from this period typically featured heraldic symbols, crosses, or portraits of monarchs.

Medieval Coinage: As the Christian kingdoms expanded and consolidated their power, they established unified monetary systems and standardized coinage. Silver coins, known as reales or maravedis, were commonly minted for trade and commerce. Gold coins, such as the dobla or excelente, were also minted for larger transactions.

These are just a few examples of the coins minted during the Ancient and Medieval periods in Spain. The coinage of this era reflects the diverse cultures, civilizations, and political entities that existed in the region, as well as the evolving economic and monetary systems of the time.