AUSTRIA. Istrien. Agnes von Andechs-Meranien, 1243-1248. Pfennig (Silver, 18 mm, 1.05 g, 6 h), 'Friesacher Pfennig' type. Stein (Kamnik) or Gutenwert (Otok). [... ]∼IVX [...] Crowned half-length figure of Agnes standing facing and with cross-tipped scepter in each hand. Rev. + S Λ[CNCTI∼] Winged Lion to left. CNA C i 28. Pogačnik IV (1992) 336. Extremely rare and unusually well preserved for this difficult issue. Nicely toned. The usual areas of weakness and traces of ink on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.



Despite her brief reign, which also accounts for the great rarity of her coins, Agnes of Andechs-Merania led a remarkably turbulent life. Her familial ties drew her deep into the political conflicts of 13th-century Europe: she was a great-granddaughter of Friedrich I Barbarossa and the wife of the Babenberg ruler Friedrich II.

Agnes became entangled in her husband's military struggles against both the emperor and the Hungarians, and at one point was even taken prisoner herself. In 1243, Friedrich II divorced her because she ‘failed’ to produce an heir. Between that divorce and her second marriage to Ulrich of Spanheim around 1248, coins bearing her portrait were struck. Our Pfennig thus stands as a rare testament to a secular female ruler who appeared on coins in the 13th century.