COIN FIND FROM THE MEDIEVAL CASTLE OF OTEPAA

In 1955 a coin find was discovered in the destruction layer of the Otepaa castle. The largest group of coins (8 items) consists of the so-called copper pfennigs of the diocese of Tartu. These are traditionally dated to the second half of the reign of the bishop Dietrich III Damerow (1379 1400), but it is highly possible that such coins of low silver content were still minted in Tartu during the first two decades of the 15th century. Of the Tartu coins, only an artig of Dietrich III Damerow, minted in 1395 or slightly later, can be dated to the 14th century. On the other hand, seven extremely poorly preserved lubisches of the diocese of Tartu can sooner be dated to the 15th century. Although it cannot be precluded that the first type of lubische was minted already in 1397 -1399(?), the beginning of their minting is nowadays connected rather with the tenure of the bishop Heinrich Wrangel (1400 -1410). While the identification of two coins from Otep is utterly impossible, and three coins can be identified only to their presumable denomination (lubische), five lubisches can still be considered as the production of the mint of Tallinn (date to about 1390 -1420). The latter include also the latest coin of the complex, minted by the Livonian Order during 1406/7(?)-1415. Relying upon this coin, we may assert that the coin find of Otep cannot have been deposited before 1406. But since the 26 coins discovered in the castle of Otep do not include any item minted after the monetary reform, it is likely that the assemblage has been collected at least before 1426.