Normandy
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Richard I of Normandy (942-996)
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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.
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)
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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.
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)
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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)
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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
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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.