This master thesis analyses a group of anonymous silver pennies commonly attributed to Frisia. These coins are characterized by find location and low weight of less than 0.5 grams. Due to the fact...Show moreThis master thesis analyses a group of anonymous silver pennies commonly attributed to Frisia. These coins are characterized by find location and low weight of less than 0.5 grams. Due to the fact that they lack comprehensible legends or bear ambiguous or degenerated ones it is difficult to date them or assign them to a known mint like Stavoren or Dokkum. Traditionally they have been separated into two groups: one showing a worldly ruler, and the other showing a cleric or bishop. Previous research has laid much emphasis on the deciphering of the legends, and discerned the name of a certain Otto on several types. However, while the “worldly” types appear to date slightly earlier, there appears to have been considerable overlap between the two. This indicates that the divide between the two types may not be as historically important as once thought. The fact that the name of this Otto appears in both groups argues against it being the name of the issuing authority at the time of striking. Important in researching this series of coins is the quick increase in reported finds. Metal detectors have become widely available to the general public, and databases such as NUMIS and PAN have been set up to register these new finds. The databases mentioned are freely accessible and have proven to be valuable tools in the field of archaeology and numismatics in particular. Newly discovered types and an increasing number of find locations provide relevant information for Dutch numismatists. Included in this thesis is an overview of the largest and most important hoards containing these anonymous Frisian pennies, as well as an overview of the various types considered “Frisian”. Of those types a database has been made containing over 250 individual pieces that have appeared in digitised public collections and databases, several private collections and certain European auctions. The find locations, weights and other characteristics of these examples have been noted down when available.Show less
