Normandy

Feudal home page ... Main home page

Any coins currently owned are kept in a safe deposit box

Richard I of Normandy (942-996)

 For a larger image click here

AR denier, 21mm, 1.155g. Obv: RICARDVS,  central + with four besants. Rev: ROTOMACVS, with 'c' on its side, central temple avec besant au center du fronton. Mint is Rouen. Dumas 773-2669. There were 46 of these coins in the 1.15 weight category, of a total of 332 of all Richard types in this weight category. This is the most common of the Fecamp coins. This was identified as 'ex Fecamp.' Not in R, PdA.


For a larger image click here

AR denier, 20mm, 1.249gr. Obv: RICARDVSI, central cross with four besants. Rev: ROTOMA_VS, central temple. Mint is Rouen. Dumas 21 - 772 (36 of this weight); Dup 17.

Hugues, Archbishop of Rouen (942-989), issued in the name of
Richard I of Normandy (942-996)

For a larger image click here

AR denier, 20mm, 1.15gr. Obv: RICARDVS, central cross with four besants. Rev: ROTOMANAaVS, central Carolingian inspired monogram, formed from G, T, H. Dumas 4147-6047. Mint is Rouen. A common Fecamp coin, with about 90 found in this weight.


For a larger image click here

AR denier, 20mm, 1.07gr.  Obv: +RICHARDVS, central cross in a solid circle, besants in each quadrant. The legend is stylized. Rev: +ROTOMACIVS, central monogram. Mint is Rouen. The difference between the coins of Richard and Hugues issued in Richard's name is the fact that Richard generally has a temple in the reverse field while Hugues has a Carolingian style monogram in the reverse field. Sold as Ex Fecamp. Unfortunately, there is only one coin from the find with the reverse legend ..MACIVS, and that coin weighs only .93 grams. Hence, this is a contemporary coin, but not a Fecamp coin. Not in Roberts, Boud, Bel, PdA. seller id Le Gros 207-212.
    This coinage is a significant development in French history. From Bates (p28-9) ".. The fact that these coins were produced demonstrates (Norman) integration in to the Frankish environment: the right to control the minting of money, once a monopoly of earlier Carolingian emperors and kings was in the process of passing to territorial princes and others lower on the social scale during the tenth century." It is part of the marking of the end of Carolingian control and part of the onset of a rich profusion of feudal coinage lasting until the final emergence of modern France centuries hence. This coinage from Rouen was very much in a Carolingian style, reflecting Norman connectedness with west Francia.

In 911 Charles III (The Simple) gave a grant of land in Normandy to the Viking invader Rollo, in an effort to buy him off from further predation in France. He held this territory, as did his heir, William Longsword, often in conflict with his neighbors and other Vikings. When William was murdered in 942 he was succeeded by his young son (by a Breton mistress), Richard I. Richard's reign is a period of initially a fight for the survival of the Norman land grant and after this was assured by the 950s, subsequently a process of Francification, in culture, government and orientation. He became involved in Frankish politics, allying himself with Hugh Capet in the capture of Melun and later with with Odo of Blois-Chartres against Fulk III of Anjou (987-1040). He is recognized as a vassal of Hugh Capet. He is also recognized for the refounding of the abbey of Mont St Michel, destroyed by earlier Viking incursions. Source: Bates

Richard II (996-1026)

For a larger image click here

AR denier, 20mm, .77gr. Obv: degenerate legend, cross and other design elements. Rev: degenerate legend, 3 fontons de temple motif. Mint is Rouen. R4812(?); Boud 8 (rarity=3); PdA 149; Dy 28.

Stephen I of Penthievre (1093-1138)

For a larger image click here

AR denier, 19mm, .78gr. Obv: +STEPHAN COO?, central cross with stars in top quadrants. Rev: +GVINGAMP, central head facing right (not very evident in this coin). R 4953 (who says this type is among the least crude of the very large Penthievre production), Boud 144 (which puts STEPHAN COM on the rev).

Son of Eudes, Count and Agnes of Cornouaille. He married Hawise of Guincamp and they had 3 - 5 children. Several geneologies suggest he died in 1135 rather than 1138, which is what the numismatic sources indicate. He was also Lord Richmond. He was buried at St. Mary's, York, England. Sources: various online geneologies.

Stephen I of Penthievre (1093-1138) Postumous

For a larger image click here

AR denier, 18mm, .88gr. Obv: +STEPHANCO( )), central cross with stars in in quadrants 1 and 2. Rev: OVINO_anp, degenerate head. R4955v; Boud 145; PdA series 1440.