Normandy and Brittany: French feudal coins

Bill denier, 21mm, .98gr. Obv: +CONANVS CON, degenerate Herbert of Mans monogram. Rev: +REDONIS CIVITAS, central cross. Mint is Rennes. R4135v; Boud 20v (3 as rarity estimate); PdA 221; Dep 53.

Billon denier, 19mm, 1.13g. Obv: +CONANVS, central '_V_' pose' en triangle. The 'S' is on its side. Rev: +REDONIS, with the 'S' on its side, central cross. Mint is Rennes. R4952v; Boud 23 (which says 'IVX' in the obverse field); PdA 266.

Billon denier, 18mm, .88gr. Obv: +DVX BRITANE, central cross ancree. Rev: +NANTIS CIVI, central cross. Mint is Nantes. R4502 as possibly Guy de Thouars; Boud 28; PdA 277; Dup 64.

Billon denier, 20mm, .93gr. Obv: DVX BRITTINE, central ornate cross. Rev: REDONIS CIVI, central cross. Mint is Rennes. R4503; Boud 29 (rarity=1); PdA 291-3; Dy 65.

AR denier, 18mm, .84gr. Obv: +IOHANNES.DVX, central cross. Rev: B/RIT/ANI/E, central shield. Mint is Vannes. R4611; Boud 36; PdA 356, plate 11:14.

Billon denier, 19mm, .89gr. Obv: +A DVX BPICEANIE, center shield of Dreux. Rev: +COUES PICJEUVD, central cross. Bigot 333; Jez 78. Image from monnaiesdantan.com, Alexis Bigot sale 11/2010.

Jean III (1313-41)

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Billon denier 16mm, .64gr. Obv: + I OJANNA DVX, central cross. Rev: BPI TTA PLA, central shield. Bigot 346; Jez 81. Image from monnaiesdantan.com, Alexis Bigot sale 11/2010.

Jean III (1313 - 41) after 1316

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Bill denier, .96gr, 19mm. Obv: +IOHAHNES DVX, central shield with ermines (adopted after 1316). Rev: +BRITANNIE:, central cross with 'B' in second quadrant. Mint St. Brieuc? Jez 85c; Dup 100, both as possible St Brieuc mint; PdAS 373, XI 21; Boud 42.

Jean IV (1341-45) (1364-99)

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AR Gros, 28mm, 3.61gr. Obv: + IOHANNE DEI GRACIA DVX BRITANIE, central lion and shield. Rev: + XPC VINCIT XPC REGNAT XPC IPERAT V, central cross. Bigot 770; Jez 254. Image from monnaiesdantan.com Alexis Bigot sale 11/2010.

Charles of Blois (1345-64)

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Billon Gros au Lion, 26mm, 2.99gr. Obv: CHA ROL LVS DVX inner ring, +BNDICTV:SIT:NOME:DNI:NRI:HV:XPI, central cross. Rev: +MONETA BRITAN, central lion. Bigot.425-Jez.159.Image from monnaiesdantan.com, Alexis Bigot sale 11/2010.

Jean V of Brittany 1399-1442

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Bill blanc a la targe, 28mm, 2.68gr. Obv: *IOHANNES : BRITONV : DVX : ?, central ermine skins. Rev: SIT NOME DNI BENEDICTV, central cross. Mint is Dinan. R6131; Boud 115; PdA 950; Jez 365; Dup-.

AR blanc, 25mm, 2.6gr. Obv: +IOHANHES:BRITONV:DVX.R. interior cloak of ermine. Rev: +AIT:NOMEN.DNI.BENEDIC_:, central cross. Mint - Rennes. North 6136 (cross at top different from R), Boudeau 117.

AR blanc a quatre mouchetures (ermines), 26mm, 2.72gr. Obv: +IOHANNES:BRITONV:DVXD, four central figures. Rev: +SIT:NOME:DNI:BENEDICTV, central cross. Mint is Dinan (per seller). R6152, Boudeau 113.

Life: Son of John IV of Montfort, 5th duc of Brittany and Joan of Navarre. He was born 1389. Family name is de Dreux. He is 'associated' with Joan of France in several geneologies. They had two children, both of whom ruled as ducs.

Times: He is called "Wise," perhaps because of the nimbleness with which he balanced the needs of Brittany, strategically located between England and France during the 100 Years War. He supported both sides at different times, first inclined to the English position and subsequently to the French position, as Charles VII became ascendent in the conflict. His son, Francis, continued this balancing approach, but finally turned against the English after they (under Somerset) attacked Formigny, a Bretton city. Sources: various online geneologies.

AR gros a l'ecu, 3.43gr, 28mm. Obv: +FRANCISCVS BRITONVM DVX * R, central shield with six 'mouchetures.' Rev: +SIT NOMEN DNI BENEDICTVM, central croix feuillue, four besants, central 'R.' Mint is Rennes. Jez 414; Dup 337; PdA 1320; Boud 136. AS Baltimore 11, $150.