20181101

SPAIN; Alfonso I de Aragon el Batallador CE 1104-1134 reappraisal to Alfonso VIII CE 1158-1214



Bi. Pepion, 1.02 g, 17 mm, Toledo mint

Cayon 937 (Alfonso I de Aragon)

O: ANFVS REX bust left.
R: TOLETA with large + in center and stars in the second and fourth quarters (photo depicts coin off by about 90 degrees)

according to an article appearing in the September 2022 THE NUMISMATIST, pp. 56-57, Allen G. Berman reassessed the identification of this coin from Alfonso I to the more likely candidate of Alfonso VIII due to the large number of surviving examples and the inability to rationalize such a large number as having been produced in the two or three years over which Alfonso the first had authority over Toledo which is in Castille. Once his marriage to Uracca was annulled, he no longer had authority there. 
The more likely candidate according to Berman's article and more current concurring opinions is Alfonso VIII of Castille who reigned for 56 years and had the time to produce a great number of these examples, more so than his earlier namesake. The article makes a very convincing argument, necessitating this added note.