England

Circa 1066–1087

This medieval silver coin from the Norman Conquest period reflects the dramatic political and cultural transformation of England following William the Conqueror’s invasion in 1066. The obverse features a highly stylized frontal portrait of a crowned ruler, rendered in a schematic, almost symbolic manner typical of early medieval numismatic art, where authority was conveyed through iconography rather than realism. The reverse displays a geometric cross-and-ornament motif, emphasizing order, legitimacy, and Christian power. Irregular flan shape and uneven striking highlight early minting techniques, reinforcing the coin’s role as both a monetary instrument and a historical artifact of conquest, governance, and state formation.