denier

coin

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Last updated

June 25, 2026

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The denier was a small, silver coin historically used in Western Europe. Its origin can be traced back to ancient Rome, where the silver denarius was introduced around 211 BC as a significant currency in the Mediterranean. The denarius was marked with an 'X', signifying its value of 10 bronze asses.12

The silver denier's influence extended into central and northern Europe by the 10th century. Later, as gold coinage revived in Italy during the 13th and 14th centuries, a need arose for silver denominations larger than the denier, leading to the spread of coins like the grosso.34

Additionally, "denier" also refers to a unit of fineness for yarn, where a lower denier number indicates finer yarn.1

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coin
Charlemagne and the Carolingian coinages
…gold by silver, introducing the denier, which was to be the basis of all medieval coinage in the north. His new coin was wider and thinner than previous silver pieces. The normal types were simple—obverse R P (for Rex Pepinus), reverse R F (for Rex Francorum).
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…gold by silver, introducing the denier, which was to be the basis of all medieval coinage in the north. His new coin was wider and thinner than previous silver pieces. The normal types were simple—obverse R P (for Rex Pepinus), reverse R F (for Rex Francorum).
Read More