★ Exceptional Heinrich Pfennig ★

GERMANY, Augsburg (königliche Münzstätte). Heinrich II. 1002-1024. AR Pfennig (20mm, 1.19 g, 3h). R/X down left field, H/IИ/RI down right, crowned bust right / ΛVGV(horizontal S)TA • CIV • (pellet in Λ), small cross pattée; annulet in first quarter, triple pellets in second and third quarters, wedge in fourth quarter. Cf. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe 134 (for a similar issue, but Regensburg mint) ; Hahn Type 3, 145 (dies XII/73); Kluge, Salier 88. Richly toned. Near EF. Exceptional.

From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 82 (16 September 2009), lot 1238; Spink Taisei 31 (23 October 1991), lot 27.

Heinrich II, king of Germany from 1002 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1014, was the only German king to become a Catholic saint. He spent much of his reign putting down rebellions within the Empire and reinforcing the borders of his lands. On the urging of the Pope, Heinrich led a campaign in southern Italy to counter the growing influence of the Byzantine Empire. He strongly supported the rights of bishops to reign over territories as temporal lords, in addition to their responsibility as spiritual leaders. In addition, he championed the policy of celibacy among the clergy in an attempt to prevent battles of succession among their heirs.