Denar 1036-1039 GERMANY - KÖLN, ERZBISTUM - HERMANN II & EMPEROR CONRAD II (1027-1039) - n.d. , Köln vf

weight 1,58gr. | silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Church with inside the legend: COLO / NIA, flanked by
small circles with dot below, surrounded by the legend
HAMAMANNARCHEPS
rev. Short cross pattée within dotted circle, surrounded
by the legend ✠CRADIN(.)ADVS IMP

As usual, the legends of this type are blundered.
Hermann II was born circa 995 as a younger son of Ezzo, Count Palatine of Lotharingia (c. 955–1034), and Mathilde (979–1025), thereby entering the Ezzonid dynasty, a Lotharingian noble lineage with roots tracing to the ninth century and extensive holdings along the Rhine and in the Meuse region. Ezzo derived his power from palatine authority under the Ottonians, managing imperial estates and wielding influence in Lotharingian politics, while Mathilde′s parentage as daughter of Emperor Otto II (955–983) and Theophanu linked the family to the imperial Ottonian house, enhancing their status amid dynastic transitions. Hermann served as Archbishop of Cologne from August 1036 until his deathin 1056. As imperial chancellor for Italian affairs from around 1034 and later archchancellor under Emperors Conrad II and Henry III, he played a key role in royal administration, accompanying Conrad II on his 1037 Italian campaign and supporting Henry III amid Lotharingian unrest and familial rebellions. Hermann bolstered the Cologne archdiocese′s authority by hosting Pope Leo IX in 1049, securing extensive privileges, including the right to crown German kings within his diocese, and by baptizing and crowning Henry IV in 1051 and 1054, respectively he also advanced ecclesiastical interests through monastic endowments like the transfer of Brauweiler Abbey to Cologne in 1051 and the foundation of Stift Mariengraden. His tenure reflected close church-imperial synergy, including advocacy for episcopal appointments such as Wazo of Liège and involvement in synods addressing papal instability, though he died on 11 February 1056 amid a prolonged illness and was interred in Cologne Cathedral. Conrad II, founder of the Salian dynasty, was born ca. 990 to Count Henry of Speyer and Adelheid of Alsace, Conrad was a descendant of the Saxon house through his great-grandfather. Despite his noble lineage, he was left poor after his father was passed over for his inheritance. He received little formal education while being raised by the Bishop of Worms, remaining unable to read or write throughout his life. In 1016, he married Gisela of Swabia, a wealthy and intelligent widow. Although their marriage was initially controversial under canon law, it provided the political connections and wealth necessary for his ascent. Following the death of Henry II in 1024, Conrad was elected German king. He quickly secured his authority, being crowned King of Italy in 1026 and Holy Roman Emperor in Rome on Easter 1027. To celebrate his election, he commissioned the construction of Speyer Cathedral in 1030, which became the burial place for the Salian dynasty. Conrad became the first ruler of the High Middle Ages to unite the three kingdoms of Germany, Italy, and Burgundy under one crown. He issued a new set of feudal constitutions in Italy that protected the rights of lesser nobles (valvassores) against more powerful lords, further stabilizing his rule. Conrad II died of gout in Utrecht on 4 June 1039. He had meticulously prepared for his succession by having his son, Henry III, elected and anointed king as early as 1028, ensuring a smooth transition of power and a stable empire for his heir. His entrails were interred in the Utrecht Cathedral, and the famous cross of churches was likely built in his honor (the Cathedral in the city center, surrounded by the Pieterskerk, Paulusabdij, Mariakerk, and Janskerk). His remains were interred in the Cathedral of Spiers. Emperor Conrad, mentioned on the side with the cross, is considered to be superior in authority to Archbishop Hermann. For that reason traditionally, that side, with the cross, is considered the obverse. However, I believe that Christian symbolism was held in higher esteem in medieval thinking than secular figures, such as the emperor. Therefore, I consider the church building, an ultimate Christian symbol, to be the obverse, and I believe medieval people also saw it that way. Visually, it also makes more sense.

cf. Hävernick 251 | cf. Slg. Bonhoff 1549 | cf. Dannenberg 385
cf. Kluge, Salier 364 | cf. Numista 108903
some minor weakness and struck with slightly shifted dies,
but overall a very attractive specimen, certainly for the type
vf

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