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French Feudal State – Counts of Maine – Herbert I “Wakedog” (1015–1036)Mint: Le Mans
Obverse: + COMES CENOMANNIS — Cross within circle, legend around Reference: Historical Note: Herbert I of Maine, known as “Wakedog,” was a vigilant and aggressive ruler whose constant conflicts with the Counts of Anjou shaped the political landscape of western France in the early 11th century. Captured and imprisoned by Fulk Nerra between 1025 and 1026, Herbert lost territory but maintained his authority upon release. His numismatic legacy is significant: between 1020 and 1030 he introduced a new denier type featuring his monogram (HERBERTUS), a stylized assertion of comital identity. Despite this personal mark, the reverse inscription SIGNVM DEI VIVI (“the symbol of the living God”) preserved the long‑standing connection between Maine’s coinage and ecclesiastical authority. These deniers became the standard for the county for generations. |
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French Feudal State – Counts of Maine – Herbert I “Wakedog” (1015–1036)Mint: Le Mans
Obverse: + COMES CENOMANNIS — Cross within circle, legend around Reference: |
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French Feudal State – Bishopric of Clermont (1100–1150)Mint: Clermont (modern Clermont‑Ferrand)
Obverse: SCA MARIA — Virgin Mary crowned, facing Reference: Historical Note: The Bishopric of Clermont—today’s Clermont‑Ferrand—was both a spiritual and temporal power in medieval France. Its bishops exercised secular authority and held the right to mint coinage, a privilege that reinforced their influence across the region of Auvergne. The obverse inscription SCA MARIA (“Saint Mary”) reflects the ecclesiastical identity of the issuing authority, while the reverse legend VRBS ARVERNA (“City of Auvergne”) asserts jurisdiction over the wider region. Aimeric, bishop from 1111 to 1150, is the most likely issuing authority for this type, which fits stylistically and chronologically within his long episcopate. |
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French Feudal State – Duke of Aquitaine / Count of Poitiers – William X (1127–1137)Mint: Bordeaux
Obverse: + GLVILILMO — “William”; four small crosses arranged in a cross pattern, legend surrounding Reference: Historical Note: William X, sometimes called “the Saint,” was the last male Duke of Aquitaine of the Ramnulfid line. Upon his death in 1137, his vast domains passed to his daughter Eleanor — the future Eleanor of Aquitaine — whose inheritance reshaped the political map of medieval Europe. Eleanor continued issuing deniers in the style of her father, and the Poitiers–Bordeaux coinage became a cornerstone of the Angevin monetary system after her marriage to Henry II of England. |
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The Viscountcy of Albi, located in the Languedoc region of France, was ruled by the influential House of Trencavel, who also held the viscounties of Carcassonne, Béziers, and Nîmes. The denier below is attributed to Bernard Aton IV Trencavel (ruled 1074–1129) or one of his immediate successors. The obverse legend + IAMVIVMD is a degenerate rendering of “BERNARDUS ATONUS,” reflecting the stylized and often corrupted legends typical of southern French feudal coinage. The region had a significant Cathar presence, and the Trencavel viscounts were known for their tolerance during a period of increasing religious tension.
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Viscountcy of Albi – Bernard Aton IV Trencavel (1074–1129) or SuccessorMint: Albi
Obverse: + IAMVIVMD — Tapered cross; degenerate legend Reference: Historical Note: The Trencavel dynasty played a central role in the political and cultural life of Languedoc. Their coinage reflects both regional identity and the artistic tendencies of southern French mints, where legends frequently became stylized or corrupted over generations of copying. The ambiguous reverse design—possibly a crozier, possibly a symbolic monogram—remains debated among numismatists, highlighting the interpretive challenges of medieval feudal issues. |
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The counts of Angoulême and La Marche issued deniers with an immobilized legend honoring the long‑dead Carolingian king Louis IV (936–954). The reverse inscription EGOLISSIME is a medieval form of “Angoulême.” By striking coins in the name of Louis IV, the counts emphasized that their minting rights were ancient and legitimate, rooted in royal authority rather than recent usurpation. The obverse design reflects ecclesiastical influence, while the reverse motif of five circles (one containing a crescent and cross) may symbolize the Five Wounds of Christ or simply represent a stylized cross, as engravers often worked with limited artistic precision.
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Comtes d’Angoulême et de la Marche – Anonymous Issue (c. 1180–1220)Mint: Angoulême / Chabanals
Obverse: + LODOICVS — “Louis”; cross Reference: |
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Comtes d’Angoulême et de la Marche – Anonymous Issue (c. 1180–1220)Mint: Angoulême / Chabanals
Obverse: + LODOICVS — “Louis”; cross Reference: |
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The Abbey of Saint‑Martial in Limoges was a major monastic and cultural center in medieval France. While many French abbeys minted coins, those of Saint‑Martial are distinctive because they were issued under the direct authority of the abbot rather than a bishop or secular lord. The obverse legend SES • MARCIAL invokes Saint Martial, the abbey’s revered patron, while the reverse inscription LEMOVICENSIS refers to the city of Limoges itself. These unusual legends reflect both local devotion and the abbey’s assertion of independent minting rights.
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Abbey of Saint‑Martial – Anonymous Issue (1106–1245)Mint: Limoges
Obverse: SES • MARCIAL — Bearded portrait of Saint Martial in an inner circle; legend beginning at 19h Reference: Historical Note: Saint‑Martial’s coinage stands apart from most ecclesiastical issues in France because it reflects the abbey’s unique autonomy. The portrait of Saint Martial emphasizes the abbey’s spiritual authority, while the reverse legend ties the issue directly to Limoges. These deniers circulated widely in the Limousin region and testify to the abbey’s economic and religious influence during the High Middle Ages. |
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The Viscounts of Béarn ruled a semi‑independent lordship in the Pyrenees region of southwestern France. Their authority grew over the centuries, and Béarn eventually functioned as an autonomous principality before being absorbed into the Kingdom of France. The inscription ONOR FORCAS on Béarnese coinage does not refer to a person; it proclaims the viscount’s right of the gallows — the authority to administer high and medium justice. This was one of the most important feudal privileges, symbolizing a lord’s power over life and death within his domain.
The obverse legend CENTVLLO COM abbreviates “Centullo Comes,” referring originally to Centule V of Béarn (d. 1090), a powerful viscount who greatly expanded Béarn’s autonomy. The inscription became “immobilized,” remaining unchanged for generations even when later rulers bore different names. This continuity emphasized the antiquity and legitimacy of Béarn’s minting rights.
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Viscounts of Béarn – Immobilized Issue (c. 1080–1250)Mint: Morlaàs
Obverse: CENTVLLO COM — Cross with a pellet in two angles Reference: Historical Note: Béarn’s coinage is among the most distinctive of medieval France. The repeated use of Centule V’s name long after his death reflects the viscounts’ desire to emphasize continuity and legitimacy. The bold invocation of judicial authority on the reverse — ONOR FORCAS — is unique in European numismatics and underscores the remarkable autonomy Béarn enjoyed during the High Middle Ages. |
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The deniers minted at Saint‑Martin de Tours formed part of the broader feudal coinage system of medieval France. These coins typically feature the distinctive château tournois — a stylized castle design that evolved from the hexastyle temple motif seen on the coinage of Louis the Pious around 800. The obverse legend SCS MARTINVS invokes Saint Martin, the abbey’s patron and one of the most venerated saints in medieval France.
The abbey’s right to mint coins symbolized its considerable autonomy and influence in the region of Touraine. This privilege ended in 1204 when King Philip II Augustus incorporated Touraine into the royal domain, bringing its mints under direct royal control. During the earlier Abbatial Period, the powerful counts of Blois and Anjou often served as lay‑abbots, exercising economic and military authority — including control of the mint — while clerical abbots oversaw spiritual matters. This arrangement reflects the complex interplay between secular and ecclesiastical power in medieval France.
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Saint‑Martin de Tours – Anonymous Issue (12th–early 13th centuries)Mint: Tours
Obverse: + SCS MARTINVS — Château tournois design, derived from the hexastyle temple motif Reference: |
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Saint‑Martin de Tours – Anonymous Issue (12th–early 13th centuries)Mint: Tours
Obverse: + SCS MARTINVS — Château tournois design, derived from the hexastyle temple motif Reference: |
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The denier of John I, Duke of Brittany, is among the earliest Breton coins to display the new heraldic arms of the House of Dreux. John I, known as “John the Red,” introduced the ermine‑patterned shield that would become the enduring emblem of Brittany. A prominent crusader and close advisor to King Louis IX of France, John I strengthened both the political and symbolic identity of the duchy through his coinage.
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Brittany – John I “the Red” (1237–1286)Mint: Rennes
Obverse: + B RIT ANI E — “of Brittany”; triangular Dreux shield with ermine quarter Reference: Historical Note: John I’s adoption of the ermine shield on his coinage marked a turning point in Breton heraldry. The Dreux arms became inseparable from the identity of Brittany, appearing on seals, banners, and coinage for centuries. His reign also coincided with the consolidation of ducal authority and closer ties to the French crown, reinforced through his participation in the Crusades and his service to Louis IX. |
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The legend PRIMA SEDES proclaims Lyon as the “First See of Gaul.” This reflects the longstanding tradition that Christianity first took root in France at Lugdunum (Lyon), giving the Archbishop of Lyon primatial authority over the other bishops of the region. The coins of this period feature a large cruciform “L,” representing Lugdunum, the Latin name for Lyon. The cross at the top of the letter emphasizes the ecclesiastical authority of the archbishop. The surrounding legend, + PRIMA SEDES, reinforces Lyon’s claim to primacy.
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Archbishopric of Lyon – Anonymous Issue (1150–1250)Mint: Lyon
Obverse: PRIMA SEDES — “First See”; large cruciform L Reference: Historical Note: Lyon’s claim to primacy dates back to late antiquity, when the city was the administrative and religious center of Roman Gaul. The cruciform L on these coins is one of the most distinctive ecclesiastical symbols in French feudal numismatics, combining civic identity with spiritual authority. These small half‑deniers circulated widely throughout the Rhône valley and helped reinforce the archbishop’s temporal influence. |
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Archbishopric of Lyon – Anonymous Issue (1150–1250)Mint: Lyon
Obverse: PRIMA SEDES — “First See”; large cruciform L Reference: Historical Note: This second example follows the same immobilized design used for roughly a century. The consistency of the type reflects both the archbishopric’s stable authority and the strong regional identity of Lyon’s coinage. The cruciform L remained one of the most recognizable symbols of ecclesiastical minting in medieval France. |
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France – Charles VI (1417–1420)Mint: Tournai
Obverse: + KAROLVS FRANCORV REX — Three fleurs‑de‑lis (2‑and‑1) beneath a wreath Reference: Historical Note: This gros was struck during the turbulent later years of Charles VI’s reign, a period marked by civil war between the Armagnacs and Burgundians and the ongoing pressures of the Hundred Years’ War. Despite the political instability, the Tournai mint continued to produce high‑quality royal coinage featuring the traditional fleurs‑de‑lis and religious inscriptions affirming divine blessing on the French monarchy. |
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Lordship of Florennes – Gaucher V of Châtillon (1313–1322)Mint: Yve / Yves
Obverse: + GALCHS COMES PORC — Crowned bust facing within beaded inner circle Reference: Historical Note: Gaucher V of Châtillon served as Constable of France and held the Lordship of Florennes in the early 14th century. His coinage reflects both French feudal influence and the distinctive regional traditions of the Low Countries. The crowned bust and long cross are typical of northern European pennies of the period, while the legends emphasize his comital authority and the introduction of a “new money” at the Yve mint. |
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The term grosso simply means “large” and was applied to the new, heavier silver coins that began appearing across Europe in the 13th century, replacing the smaller denaro. Genoa first minted the grosso around 1172, marking a major step forward from earlier coinage. During the period of the Genoese Commune (1139–1339), these coins became a symbol of the republic’s growing commercial and political power.
The obverse legend IANVA derives from the Latin word for “door,” the origin of the name Genoa, and is represented by the gate motif on the coin. The reverse inscription CVNRADI REX (“King Conrad”) refers to Conrad III, who died in 1152. This is an example of immobilized coinage: Genoa continued to use the name of a long‑dead emperor to acknowledge an ancient legal grant of minting rights while simultaneously asserting its practical independence from the Holy Roman Empire. It was a clever balance of legal deference and republican autonomy.
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Genoa (Republic) – Anonymous Issue (1236–1324)Mint: Genoa
Obverse: + I A N V A — Gate within dotted circle Reference: Historical Note: Genoa’s grosso circulated widely throughout the Mediterranean, reflecting the republic’s dominance in maritime trade. The immobilized design remained stable for nearly two centuries, a testament to the enduring political identity of the Genoese Commune and its careful balance between imperial tradition and republican independence. |
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Galeazzo II Visconti and Barnabò Visconti were brothers who ruled Milan jointly from 1355 to 1378. Although their territories were divided, they exercised shared authority — an unusual arrangement for the period. Their coinage reflects the growing power of the Visconti dynasty, which would dominate Milanese politics for generations.
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Milan – Galeazzo II & Barnabò Visconti (1355–1378)Mint: Milan
Obverse: B G VICECOMITES — “The Visconti Brothers” Reference: Historical Note: The Visconti family transformed Milan into one of the most powerful states in northern Italy. The joint rule of Galeazzo II and Barnabò marked a period of territorial expansion, architectural development, and increasing political ambition. Their coinage, often simple and direct in design, emphasized the authority of the Visconti name and the central importance of Milan (Mediolanum) within their dominion. |
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Charles II of Anjou, known as “Charles the Lame,” became King of Naples under extraordinary circumstances. Captured in 1284 during a naval battle near Naples by the Aragonese admiral Roger of Lauria, he inherited the throne the following year upon the death of his father, Charles I — while still a prisoner of war. His release required a complex diplomatic effort involving Edward I of England and Pope Nicholas IV, and the terms were severe: Charles had to renounce his claim to Sicily, pay a ransom of 50,000 marks, and leave three of his sons and sixty Provençal nobles as hostages in Barcelona.
As Prince of Achaea, Charles II issued billon denier tournois coins at the Clarentza mint between 1285 and 1289. These coins continued the long tradition of the tournois type, featuring the characteristic cross and château design derived from the hexastyle temple motif of earlier Carolingian coinage.
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Charles II de Anjou – Prince of Achaea (1285–1289)Mint: Clarentza
Obverse: + : DE CLARENTIA — Cross pattée within circle Reference: Historical Note: The Clarentza mint was the principal mint of the Principality of Achaea, producing large quantities of deniers tournois that circulated widely throughout Frankish Greece. Charles II’s issues are part of the final flourishing of this coinage before political fragmentation and economic decline reduced the output of the principality’s mints. |
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Philip II of Taranto was a prominent member of the Angevin dynasty in the 14th century. The son of Philip I of Taranto and Catherine of Valois, he held numerous titles during his lifetime, including Prince of Achaea, Prince of Taranto, and titular Emperor of Constantinople (as Philip III). He married twice — first to Maria of Calabria, and later to Elizabeth of Slavonia — but all of his legitimate children died young. With no surviving heirs, his nephew James of Baux succeeded him upon his death in 1373.
Philip’s coinage was struck at the mint of Clarentza (Clarenza), the principal mint of the Principality of Achaea. These deniers tournois continued the long‑established tournois tradition, featuring the characteristic cross and château design that had become emblematic of Frankish Greece.
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Philip II of Taranto – Prince of Achaea (1285–1289)Mint: Lepanto
Obverse: + PHS. P. ACh TAR. — Cross pattée within circle Reference: Historical Note: The Lepanto mint served as one of the key mints of Frankish Greece during the late 13th century. Philip II’s issues reflect both Angevin influence and the enduring popularity of the tournois type, which circulated widely across the Peloponnese and beyond. These coins represent the final flourishing of Achaean minting before the principality entered a period of political decline. |
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During this period, the Despotate of Epirus was claimed by Philip I of Taranto of the Angevin dynasty. His claim came through his marriage to Thamar Angelina Komnene, daughter of the previous despot. Although Philip asserted authority over Epirus, his rule was contested and ultimately short‑lived. At the same time, he also ruled the Principality of Achaea, giving him a major political presence in Frankish Greece.
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Philip I of Taranto – Despot of Epirus (1307–1313)Mint: Lepanto
Obverse: + PhS P TAR DESP — Cross pattée within circle; crescent in one quadrant Reference: Historical Note: These “Epirus‑style” deniers were struck at the Lepanto mint and reflect Philip’s contested authority in the region. The combination of Angevin titulature and traditional tournois iconography shows the blending of Western feudal and Byzantine‑influenced local traditions. Despite Philip’s brief control, these coins circulated widely in western Greece during the early 14th century. |
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The Principality of Achaea, founded after the Fourth Crusade (c. 1205), became the most successful and longest‑lasting of the Frankish states in Greece. The prince was nominally a vassal of the Latin Emperor of Constantinople. When Constantinople fell back to the Byzantines in 1261, that overlordship became meaningless — yet the princes continued to style themselves as if they still owed allegiance to an emperor who no longer existed.
Over time, the principality passed through inheritance and marriage into the hands of foreign dynasties, including the Angevins of Naples and later the Navarrese Company. As a result, a soldier in the Peloponnese might find himself fighting for a French prince who answered to a king in Naples, who in turn claimed to be a crusader overlord of Greece. This complex political web is reflected in the coinage of the period.
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Guillaume II de la Roche – Duke of Athens (1287–1308)Mint: Thebes
Obverse: + GVE DVX ATENES — Cross pattée within circle; crescent in one quadrant Reference: Historical Note: Guillaume II de la Roche ruled as Duke of Athens, a state closely tied to the Principality of Achaea. His coinage from Thebes follows the traditional tournois pattern used throughout Frankish Greece, combining Western feudal heraldry with local minting traditions. These deniers circulated widely across the Peloponnese and central Greece during the late 13th and early 14th centuries. |
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Isabelle of Villehardouin – Princess of Achaea (1297–1300)Mint: Glarentza (Clarentza)
Obverse: + YSABELLA. P. ACh — Cross pattée within circle; crescent in one quadrant Reference: Historical Note: Isabelle of Villehardouin was the last sovereign Villehardouin ruler of Achaea. Her brief reign and marriage alliances played a major role in transferring the principality into Angevin hands. Her deniers from Glarentza follow the traditional tournois pattern used throughout Frankish Greece. |
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Guillaume I de la Roche – Duke of Athens (1280–1287)Mint: Thebes
Obverse: + G: DVX: ATENES: — Cross pattée within circle; crescent in one quadrant Reference: Historical Note: Guillaume I de la Roche ruled the Duchy of Athens shortly before the Catalan Company seized control of the region. His coinage continues the familiar tournois style used throughout Frankish Greece, reflecting the strong political and economic ties between Athens and the Principality of Achaea. |
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Bohemond III of Antioch, nicknamed “the Stammerer,” ruled from 1163 to 1201 — one of the longest reigns of any crusader prince. His principality became a political and religious battleground where Latin, Greek, and Armenian factions competed for influence. His family ties to the Armenian kingdom through his son Raymond’s marriage to Alice of Armenia triggered a decades‑long succession struggle between Armenian‑backed heirs and other branches of the Bohemondine line.
Bohemond’s relationship with the Latin Church was equally turbulent. He was excommunicated in 1181, partly for tolerating the Greek Orthodox patriarch in Antioch and partly due to his controversial marital history. Despite the internal turmoil, his reign produced one of the most iconic crusader coinages: the helmeted bust denier. Struck in vast quantities at Antioch on the Orontes (modern Antakya, Turkey), these coins remained in circulation long after his death.
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Bohemond III – Prince of Antioch (1163–1201)Mint: Antioch on the Orontes
Obverse: + BOANUDHUS — Bust left wearing Norman helmet with cross pattée and nasal guard;
crescent left, star right Reference: Historical Note: Bohemond’s helmeted bust deniers are the most recognizable and widely circulated crusader coins. Their distinctive military portrait and simple cross reverse made them a regional standard, copied by neighbouring states and imitated long after his reign. |
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Dortmund was an important imperial city in the Holy Roman Empire. The reverse legend +VVIDOVICVS IMP refers to “Ludovicus Imperator,” a retrospective invocation of Emperor Louis the Pious (814–840). Although the coin names Louis, it was issued under Heinrich IV, whose long and turbulent reign saw conflicts with the papacy, German princes, and urban communes. The obverse legend +THROT MANNE identifies Dortmund itself.
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County of Dortmund – Heinrich IV (1056–1106)Mint: Dortmund
Obverse: +THROT MANNE — Crowned bust facing between spear and star; legend around Reference: Historical Note: The reverse legend is a corrupted form of +HLVDOVVICVS IMP, the standard inscription on deniers of Louis the Pious. Its survival on Dortmund issues centuries later reflects the enduring prestige of Carolingian imperial coinage and the desire of local authorities to associate their minting rights with ancient imperial legitimacy. |
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The Archbishopric of Vienne became a direct vassal of the Holy Roman Empire around 1032, when the Kingdom of Burgundy (Arles) was absorbed into the Empire under Conrad II. The archbishops, already powerful landholders, were granted Imperial immediacy, making them Princes of the Empire and independent of local counts. Their status was strengthened by privileges issued by Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa in the 12th century.
By the 14th century, French influence increasingly overshadowed Imperial authority in the region. The Archbishopric was formally annexed by France in 1450 under an agreement between King Charles VII and Emperor Frederick III. The legend MAXIMA GALL (“Great Gaul”) on the coinage reflects this growing orientation toward France rather than the Empire.
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Archbishopric of Vienne – Anonymous Issue (1150–1250)Mint: Vienne
Obverse: + S. M. VIENNA — Bearded head of Saint Mauritius facing left Reference: Historical Note: Saint Mauritius, the patron of Vienne, appears frequently on the city’s medieval coinage. The reverse inscription MAXIMA GALL is unusual for an Imperial principality and reflects Vienne’s increasing cultural and political alignment with France long before its formal annexation. |
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The obverse crown adorned with lilies reflects Sigismund’s authority as King of the Romans, a title he held before becoming Holy Roman Emperor. The fleur‑de‑lis, although associated with French royalty, was widely used in imperial heraldry to signify legitimacy and divine sanction. The reverse features a patriarchal cross, a symbol strongly tied to the Holy Roman Empire and to Sigismund’s role as its ruler from 1433 until his death in 1437.
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Sigismund of Luxembourg – King of Hungary (1387–1437)Mint: Visegrád, Hungary
Obverse: Crown adorned with fleur‑de‑lis Reference: Historical Note: Sigismund’s long reign over Hungary formed the foundation of his later rise to Holy Roman Emperor. His Hungarian coinage often blended local motifs with imperial symbolism, reflecting his ambition to unify Central Europe under Luxembourg authority. |
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Henry II inherited a chaotic and debased coinage from the reign of Stephen. The Anarchy (1135–1154) had produced a flood of irregular local issues, often of poor silver and struck at unofficial mints. Henry’s first reform produced the “Tealby” type, a crude but stabilizing coinage. His second reform in 1180 introduced a much finer, standardized penny that became the model for English coinage for nearly a century, continuing through the reigns of Richard I, John, and into that of Henry III.
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Henry II – Penny (Class 1b), York Mint (1180–1189)Mint: York
Obverse: +hENRICVS REX — Crowned facing bust with sceptre Reference: Historical Note: The 1180 reform introduced a uniform portrait and reverse type across the kingdom. The York issues of moneyer Hunfreid are among the best‑struck of the early classes and illustrate the improved quality that defined Henry II’s monetary system. |
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King John, remembered for being forced to accept Magna Carta in 1215, is one of the most famous English medieval monarchs. His reign also forms the backdrop for the Robin Hood legends, where he is often cast as the villain. John continued the short‑cross penny coinage introduced under his father, Henry II, and the obverse legend still reads hENRICVS REX, a convention that remained unchanged until the long‑cross reform of 1247.
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John – Penny (Class 6a), London Mint (1210–1213)Mint: London
Obverse: +hENRICVS REX — Crowned facing bust with sceptre Reference: Historical Note: Although the obverse legend still names Henry, stylistic features such as the portrait, lettering, and moneyer signatures allow precise classification of John’s short‑cross pennies. Class 6a is among the later issues of his reign, struck shortly before the turmoil surrounding Magna Carta. |
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Henry III was the first English king in over two centuries to issue a gold coin — the celebrated gold penny. This example, however, is a silver penny struck under the moneyer William of Canterbury. William was active during the transition from the Short Cross to the Long Cross coinage, and his name appears on both series. Henry’s reign saw the definitive 1225 version of Magna Carta and the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey in the Gothic style, two of the most enduring legacies of medieval England.
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Henry III – Penny (Class 5b2), London Mint (1216–1247)Mint: London
Obverse: +hENRICVS REX III — Crowned facing bust with sceptre Reference: Historical Note: Class 5b2 pennies show the maturing portrait style of the late Short Cross series, with more refined lettering and improved die engraving. |
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Henry III – Penny (Class IIIa), London Mint (1248–1249)Mint: London
Obverse: +hENRICVS REX III — Crowned facing bust with sceptre Reference: Historical Note: This issue belongs to the early Long Cross coinage, introduced to combat clipping by extending the cross to the edge of the flan. |
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Henry III – Penny (Class 5b2), Canterbury Mint (1216–1272)Mint: Canterbury
Obverse: +hENRICVS REX III — Crowned facing bust with sceptre Reference: Historical Note: William of Canterbury was one of the most prolific moneyers of Henry III’s reign, active across multiple classes of the Short Cross series. |
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The first long cross penny was introduced by Henry III in 1247, but when Edward I came to the throne the English currency was still in crisis. The old short‑cross pennies had circulated for decades and were heavily clipped, reducing their silver content and undermining trade. Edward’s Great Recoinage of 1279 replaced all earlier issues with a new, standardized long cross coinage featuring a revised portrait and consistent legends. New mints were opened across the country to meet the unprecedented demand. Edward’s pennies became the standard currency for the next two centuries and inspired numerous continental imitations.
Edward I pennies are among the most commonly encountered hammered coins in the UK. Their long production span created many
varieties, and classification can be tricky — but excellent online resources exist, including:
British Coins and Artefacts
Early Edwardian Pennies (1279–1344)
Pembrokeshire Prospectors
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Edward I – Halfpenny, London MintMint: London
Obverse: EDWA R ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust Reference: Historical Note: Edwardian halfpennies were struck on small flans but maintained the same portrait and reverse style as the pennies, ensuring consistency across denominations. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 3d), London Mint (1280–1281)Mint: London
Obverse: EDW R ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust Reference: Historical Note: Class 3d is an early issue of Edward’s recoinage, showing the crisp new portrait style and improved die engraving that defined the 1279 reform. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 3g), London Mint (1280–1281)Mint: London
Obverse: EDW R ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Class 3g belongs to the early phase of Edward’s recoinage, showing the crisp portrait style and consistent lettering that defined the 1279 reform. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 4e), London Mint (1282–1289)Mint: London
Obverse: EDW R ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Class 4e is part of the middle Edwardian series, showing subtle changes in portrait style and lettering that help distinguish it from earlier 3‑series issues. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 9a), London Mint (1299–1301)Mint: London
Obverse: EDW R ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Class 9 pennies show subtle stylistic changes in the portrait and lettering, marking the transition toward the later Edwardian issues. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 10cf2), London Mint (1306–1307)Mint: London
Obverse: EDWR ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Class 10cf2 is one of the final issues of Edward I’s reign, showing the mature portrait style that continued into the earliest coins of Edward II. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 11), London Mint (1310–1314)Mint: London
Obverse: EDWA R ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Class 11 pennies overlap the end of Edward I’s reign and the beginning of Edward II’s, making them an important transitional issue in the Edwardian series. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 9b), Bristol Mint (1300–1302)Mint: Bristol
Obverse: EDWR ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Bristol was one of the most active provincial mints during Edward’s recoinage. Class 9b pennies show the evolving portrait style of the late Edwardian series. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 5?), Canterbury Mint (1302–1310)Mint: Canterbury
Obverse: EDW R ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Canterbury was one of the principal mints of the Edwardian series. The exact class of this issue is debated, as some stylistic features overlap with both late 4‑series and early 5‑series dies. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 10cf1), Canterbury Mint (1305–1306)Mint: Canterbury
Obverse: EDWA R ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Class 10cf1 is part of the late Edwardian series, showing the mature portrait style that bridges the final issues of Edward I and the earliest issues of Edward II. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 10ab), Canterbury Mint (1301–1305)Mint: Canterbury
Obverse: EDWAR R ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Class 10ab is one of the transitional Canterbury issues, showing the bifoliate crown style typical of early 10‑series pennies. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 4a), Bury St Edmunds Mint (1280–1281)Mint: Bury St Edmunds
Obverse: EDW R ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Bury St Edmunds was one of the most distinctive provincial mints of the Edwardian series. Moneyer Robert de Hadeleie is well‑attested in the early 4‑series issues, and his coins often show slightly different portrait engraving compared to the London dies. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 8a), Bury St Edmunds Mint (1294–1299)Mint: Bury St Edmunds
Obverse: EDWA R ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Class 8a is a distinctive Bury St Edmunds issue, with its characteristic mint signature referencing St Edmund, the martyred Anglo‑Saxon king whose shrine made the town a major pilgrimage centre. |
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Edward I – Penny (Class 10a), Newcastle Mint (1302–1310)Mint: Newcastle
Obverse: EDW R ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Newcastle was one of the northern mints active during the late Edwardian series. Class 10a pennies show the mature portrait style typical of the early 14th century issues. |
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Edward II inherited the late Edwardian long‑cross coinage, which had already been in use for nearly thirty years. His early pennies continue the Class 11 style of his father, Edward I, with only subtle differences in portrait engraving and lettering. As a result, distinguishing the earliest Edward II issues relies heavily on die‑study and mint‑period classification rather than legend changes. His reign saw no major coinage reform, and the long‑cross design remained unchanged until the introduction of the Edward III florin coinage in 1344.
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Edward II – Penny (Class 11), London Mint (1310–1314)Mint: London
Obverse: + EDW ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: Early Edward II pennies are nearly indistinguishable from the final issues of Edward I. Class 11 is transitional, and many dies were likely engraved by the same craftsmen working across both reigns. |
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The pennies of Edward III fall into three major phases: the Pre‑Treaty Coinage (1344–1361), the Treaty Coinage (1361–1369), and the Post‑Treaty Coinage (1369–1377). These divisions reflect political changes following the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, in which Edward III temporarily renounced his claim to the French throne in exchange for sovereignty over his continental possessions. Although this French claim appears only on higher denominations, the penny series follows the same classification system.
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Edward III – Penny (Pre‑Treaty), London Mint (1344–1351)Mint: London
Obverse: + EDW ANGL DNS HYB — Crowned facing bust within beaded circle Reference: Historical Note: This early issue belongs to the Pre‑Treaty coinage, struck during the height of the Hundred Years’ War. The portrait style continues the late Edward II tradition but with sharper engraving and more consistent lettering. |
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Edward III – Penny (Post‑Treaty), London Mint (1369–1377)Mint: London
Obverse: EDWARDVS . REX . ANGLIE — Crowned facing bust with annulet on breast Reference: Historical Note: The Post‑Treaty coinage reflects Edward’s renewed claim to the French throne after hostilities resumed in 1369. The annulet on the king’s breast is a key diagnostic feature of this late series. |
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Richard II, known as Richard of Bordeaux, was the son of the Black Prince and grandson of Edward III. His pennies are traditionally divided into several classes that reflect the political turbulence of his reign. The earliest issues were struck as part of the great recoinage of 1377, replacing the worn late‑Edward III currency. Later issues show subtle changes in portrait style and lettering, corresponding to periods of baronial opposition and political instability. Accusations of mismanagement and debasement contributed to Richard’s downfall, culminating in his deposition in 1399 by Henry Bolingbroke (Henry IV), his first cousin.
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Richard II – Penny, York Mint (1391–1396)Mint: York
Obverse: +RICARDVS REX AnGLE — Crowned facing bust, pellets above shoulders Reference: Historical Note: York was one of the principal provincial mints during Richard II’s reign. The quatrefoil at the centre of the reverse cross is a key diagnostic feature of this issue, helping distinguish it from contemporary London and Durham pennies. |
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Henry VI ascended the throne as an infant and reigned during one of the most turbulent periods in English history. His coinage reflects the political instability of the Wars of the Roses, with issues struck both during his long first reign and his brief restoration in 1470–1471. The small denominations, such as halfpennies, continued the traditional long‑cross design established in the 13th century, with only minor stylistic changes distinguishing them from earlier Plantagenet issues. London remained the principal mint, producing large quantities of small silver to support everyday commerce during a period of economic strain and civil conflict.
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Henry VI – Halfpenny, London Mint (1431–1432)Mint: London
Obverse: + HENRIC REX ANGL — Crowned facing bust within inner circle Reference: Historical Note: Early Henry VI halfpennies closely follow the late Henry V style, with only subtle differences in portrait engraving. These small denominations were essential for everyday transactions during the economically strained early years of Henry’s minority government. |
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Henry VII’s coinage marks the beginning of the Tudor monetary system. His early issues continued the late medieval long‑cross style, but his reign also introduced clearer portraits, improved mint organisation, and greater consistency in silver fineness. The half‑groat (two‑pence piece) was an important small denomination widely used in everyday commerce. Canterbury was one of the principal provincial mints operating under episcopal authority, producing distinctive coins with its own mint signature.
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Henry VII – Half‑Groat, Canterbury Mint (1493–1498)Mint: Canterbury
Obverse: + hEnRIC DI GRA REX AnGL Z Fr — Crowned facing bust within tressure of arches Reference: Historical Note: Canterbury half‑groats of Henry VII are notable for their clear portrait style and distinctive mint signature. The long cross fourchée design continued a tradition dating back to the 13th century, but the lettering and tressure reflect the emerging Tudor aesthetic. |
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A striking feature of the coinage of James I of Cyprus is the frequent appearance of the lion passant guardant. This emblem represents the Kingdom of Armenia, whose throne James claimed through his marriage to his cousin, the Armenian princess Euphémie de Lusignan. His deniers perfectly illustrate the complex political identity of the Lusignan kings: the obverse typically bears his name and a Latin cross, reflecting his Frankish Crusader heritage, while the reverse displays the Armenian lion, asserting his dynastic claim to Armenia. Although the Armenian kingdom had fallen to the Mamluks in 1375, James I and his successors continued to use the lion on their coinage as a symbolic assertion of legitimacy.
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James I – Denier (1382–1398)Mint: Uncertain (Cyprus)
Obverse: + IAQVE REI . D — Cross with legend around Reference: Historical Note: The Armenian lion on the reverse is one of the most recognisable symbols of the Lusignan kings of Cyprus. Its continued use long after the fall of the Armenian kingdom reflects the dynasty’s determination to maintain its hereditary claims and prestige. |
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Fernando IV, known as “the Summoned,” inherited a kingdom facing severe financial strain. To raise funds quickly, he authorised the mass production of the pepión, a low‑value billon coin. Its extremely small silver content and enormous output led to rapid debasement and widespread inflation. Pepiones were typically crude in style and poorly struck, yet they remain historically important as reflections of the economic pressures of late‑13th‑century Castile. This example features the castle of Castile on the obverse and the lion of León on the reverse — the traditional emblems of the united realms. Pepiones were struck at several mints, including Seville, Burgos, León, Toledo, and Córdoba.
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Fernando IV – Pepión (1295–1312)Mint: Burgos
Obverse: F REX CASTELLE — “Fernando, King of Castile”; castle of Castile Reference: Historical Note: Pepiones of Fernando IV are among the most debased medieval Iberian issues. Their crude fabric and low silver content reflect the kingdom’s financial crisis and the urgent need for circulating small change during his troubled reign. |
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The blanca of Henry IV is a classic example of late‑medieval Castilian debasement. Although the name “blanca” means “white,” referring to silver, these coins contained almost none — their reddish tone betrays their extremely low silver content. Minted in vast quantities to fund Henry’s costly wars and political struggles, the blanca contributed to severe inflation and widespread economic instability. The design is crude and often poorly executed, with the castle of Castile on the obverse and the lion of León on the reverse. These issues were struck at several mints, including Seville, Toledo, Burgos, Ávila, and Cuenca, during the turbulent final years of Henry’s reign. His death and the ensuing succession crisis paved the way for the rise of his half‑sister Isabella I, whose marriage to Ferdinand II would unite Spain.
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Henry IV – Blanca (1471–1474)Mint: Uncertain (likely Seville, Toledo, Burgos, Ávila, or Cuenca)
Obverse: ENRICVS DEI GRA REX C — “Henry, King by the grace of God”; castle of Castile Reference: Historical Note: These late blancas are among the most debased Castilian issues. Their poor fabric, low silver content, and crude execution reflect the financial collapse of Henry IV’s reign and the political turmoil that ultimately led to the rise of Isabella I and the unification of Spain. |
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Maria inherited the Hungarian throne from her father, Louis I, at a young age. Her brief reign was marked by political instability, rival claimants, and shifting alliances. The coinage of this period reflects that uncertainty: the quality declined sharply from the well‑struck issues of her father, symbolising a monarchy whose authority was under constant challenge.
This quarting (denar) was struck at the important royal mint of Nagybánya (modern Baia Mare, Romania), a major centre of precious‑metal mining in Transylvania. The obverse shows a crown above a large “M,” the mintmark of Nagybánya. The reverse features the Hungarian patriarchal cross — the double‑barred cross long associated with the Hungarian monarchy.
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Maria – Quarting (1382–1385)Mint: Nagybánya (Baia Mare)
Obverse: +REGInE VnGARIE — “Maria, Queen of Hungary”; crown above mintmark “M” within pearl circle Reference: Historical Note: Coins of Maria’s reign are noticeably cruder than those of Louis I, reflecting the political turmoil of the period. Despite this, the Nagybánya mint remained one of the most important in the kingdom, producing large quantities of small silver for everyday commerce. |
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