Italy, Aquileia, Anonymous, Denar

Italy/Aquileia
Anonymous
Denarius o. y. after Friesach strike
Av.: Mitred bishop's bust with crook and book, retrograde circumscription
Rs.: church facade with round windows, cross above
 

Re-mintings were never welcome, neither then nor now!

Add to your collection a real scandal coin! Originally from the Patriarchate of Aquileia, which was dissolved in 1751 under pressure from Emperor Charles VI and Maria Theresa, the coin triggered one of the first laws from the protection of copyright. The denarius is modeled on the Friesacher Pfennig and was minted according to its model. The style of the Friesach penny was sought after, not only in Aquileia, but also in many other areas. This enraged the Archbishop of Salzburg so much that in 1195 he obtained something very rare from Emperor Henry VI: a ban on "copy coinage". This meant that all copying of the Friesach style was forbidden.