2019-11-11 Mon

Sancho I was the second king of Portugal reigning from 1185 to 1211. His reign was marked by the resettlement of the depopulated areas of his country, by establishing new towns and rebuilding of frontier strongholds and castles.

Sancho I was born on 11th November 1154, to Afonso I of Portugal and Maud of Savoy. He succeeded his father and was crowned in Coimbra when he was 31 years old on 9 December 1185. He captures Slives in 1189 but lost it to Almohad in 1191. Later, Al Mansur attacked other lands south of the Tagus River.

Depicted here is gold Morabitino issued under his reign. The obverse of a coin depicts the king on horseback right, holding sceptre and brandishing a sword. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin engraved the cross composed of five shields, a 7-pointed star in each angle.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions