Coin: AR denier 22mm. Obv: +COMES CENOMANNIS, central monogram of Herbert I of Maine. Rev: SIGNUM DEI VIVI, central cross with detail. Mint in Maine (le Mans). R 4121, Boud 170.

Coin: AR denier, 18mm. Obv: +COMES CIIOMANIS, central monogram of Herbert I. Rev: +SIGNVM DEI VIVI, central cross with detail in each quadrant. R4122, Boud 171v.
Life and Times: These were difficult years for the county of Maine. The county was pressed first by Fulk III of Anjou, and his son Geoffrey II from one direction (south) and then by William of Normandy from another (west). After the death of Herbert I's heir, Herbert II,  the county passed into William's hands. Herbert I (984-4/13/1036) found it hard to maintain his independence and fell under the influence of Fulk III Nerra. Herbert I fought with him at Pontlevoy in 1016. This did not stand him in good stead in the long run. Geoffrey essentially had control of Maine by 1051, during the reign of Herbert II. Herbert II eventually renounced his fealty to Geoffrey and accepted the overlordship of William (the Conqueror) of Normandy. William became count of Maine in 1063 (I think with the tacit support of Anjou, which supported him during the invasion of England three years later). Herbert I was son of Hugh III and had at least three children, all daughters.  The records are not that clear. Sources: Bunbabin 188, 204, 234; geneological web sites.

Coin: AR denier, 16mm. Obv: +GVILELMO, four croisettes. Rev: +BVRGEGALA, central cross. Not clearly in R (see R4300s), Boudeau 464, Bel 803.
Life and Times: William X had a troubled reign as duke of Aquitaine, and was ultimately unsuccessful, in that he did not succeed in securing succession for his line. He faced dissention within his realm and fought an alliance of Hugh VII of Lusignan and the lord of Parthenay, only solved, in the short run, by the destruction of Parthenay, but at the cost of a long term foe. He picked the locally unpopular side in the schism of 1130 by siding with Roman Anacletus against local bishops of Limoges, Poitiers and other locales. His marriage to the Aenor, daughter of the viscount of Chatellerault resulted in two daughters, no sons. The oldest, Eleanor, married Louis VII but this marriage was ultimately annulled, on the grounds of consanguinity. Eleanor, in turn, married Henry II of England. Henry was welcomed in Aquitaine and their son, Richard, came ultimately to have control of Aquitaine. The duchy moved out of French hands into Angevin control. William died in 1137 while on a pilgrimage to Compostela in Spain. Source: Dunbabin, 341-2

The coin: AR denier, 18mm, .57 gr. Obv: +LODOICVS, horizontal S, central cross. Rev: EGOLISSIME, horizontal S's, very small central cross with four pellets. Mint: Angouleme. If 10th C, the coin was issued by the Comte' de Angouleme, Hugues le Noir (937-952), who controlled an area influenced by Louis IV, but over which he did not rule. Roberts 1804 (who indicates this coin as both contemporary with Louis IV and also as an immobilized coin). Roberts' image has a verical S on the obverse and his book does not show a 12th C immobilized version. MG 1646 as Louis IV or V (which shows a vertical S on the obverse, reverse image unclear); Dep 22 C1, 50 (6 examples) who also says it might be IV (but offers no image). Belaubre 821(who cites Poey d'Avant (1858-62) as an immobilized version from the second half of the 12th century). His image has the obverse and reverse S's horizontal.
     Yves Debroyer helpfully raised questions about this coin and its classification as a 10th C coin. The difficulty in identifying an immobilized coin is illustrated by these two similar, but different, coins from the CGB Monnaies V sale; items 781 and 782. The first is a denier from “COMTÉS D'ANGOULËME ET DE LA MARCHE - ANONYMES - (XIIème s.)” described “781. Denier anonyme, (XIIème-XIIIème siècles), c. 1180-1240, Angoulême, (Ar, 20 mm., 6 h., 0,98 g.). A/ +LODOICVS, S couchée. Croix. R/ + EGOLISSIME, S couchées, croix en forme de O cruciforme. Quatre annelets autour d'une croisette. Bd.446 - PA.2649 (57/3).” In this case Boudeau 446 pictures the coin with vertical S’s. CGB draws the connection to Louis IV. “Le type du droit est directement inspiré du monnayage de Louis IV d'Outremer. E. Caron faisait remarquer (op. cit., p. 147) que le type s'altère (became impaired) au XIIème siècle. Le poids descend sous le gramme. Le flan est parfois (sometimes) si mince (slim) que les annelets du revers donnent l'impression que la croix du droit est cantonnée de quatre besants comme sur notre exemplaire. Nous avons certainement affaire à un type de transition de la fin du XIIème siècle ou du début du XIIIème siècle au moment où les comtés d'Angoulème et de la Marche sont réunis." CGB notes the impression of the reverse is reflected on the obverse on the CGB coin but is not on mine. Note also the size differences between this coin and the coin in the collection. It is not clear if mine is later or earlier. The CGB explanation would probably be later, given the smaller size.
     The second coin is an obol, described “COMTÉS D'ANGOULÊME ET DE LA MARCHE - ANONYMES - (XIIème s.)  782. Obole, (XIIème-XIIIème siècles), c. 1180-1220, Angoulême, (Ar, 15,5 mm., 9 h., 0,46 g.). A/ + LODOICVS, S couchée. Croix.. R/ + EGOLISSIME, S couchées. Quatre annelets autour d'une croisette. Bd.447 (2f.) - PA. cf.2662 (57/5), les S au revers ne sont pas couches. Bd. 447 also has a vertical S on the obverse, making both citations inconsistent with the ‘S couchee,’ lying down, on the coin.
    So where does this stand? This coin has S’s on their side, similar to the CGB coins. However, the citations for the CGB coin, Boudeau and d’Avant indicate vertical S’s, even while classifying the CGB coins as immobilized. The MG image of Louis IV has a vertical S. Roberts identifies this as Louis IV, but immobilized to an uncertain timeframe. His image also has a vertical S on the obverse. At 18mm, this would be the smallest Carolingian denier in the collection, smaller than the slightly larger but still small 19mm coin of Lothaire (see below). Size argues for a later coin than the CGB denier. Conclusion, strongly influenced by the low weight - immobilized.
The king: Louis was son of Charles III by his second wife. He fled to England with his mother after his father was imprisoned by Herbert II of Vermandois. He married Gerberga of Saxony and they had two sons. He was succeeded by Lothar IV and his grandson Louis V was the last Carolingian.
The times: When Raoul died without an heir, Hugh the Great, father of Hugh Capet, was instrumental is the restoration of the Carolingians, in the person of Louis d'Outremer (from across the sea). The territory over which Louis had direct rule was limited but the nobility initially pledged fealty to him. He subsequently fell out with his advocate Hugh the Great and they engaged in civil war. He was captured by Hugh and subsequently released, under papal pressure. He succeeded in reasserting control in Normandy. He died from injuries sustained in a hunting accident, at age 34. He was succeeded by his son Lothar IV, who ruled under the protection of Hugh the Great. (Source: Riche' 255-64.)

Coin: AR denier, 18mm. Obv: +SCS MARTINVS, central chatel tournois. Rev: +TVRONVS CIVI, central cross. Mint: Abbey of St. Martin, Tours. 12thC. R4857v, not in Boudeau.
Times: This was a powerful abbey dating from the 6th C as an important religious center. It played an important role in the religious life of the Carolingians and operated under the protection of Charlemagne. Hugh Capet was a lay abbot (the cape he wore, sign of a lay abbot, gave him his nickname and his lineage its title (Capetians). The Capetians maintained their influence over the abbey even during the years Henry II ruled as count of Touraine in the middle of the 12th C. (This claim to Touraine was subsequently renounced by John Lackland in 1214.) As was not uncommon during this period, ecclesiastical centers often had minting privileges and this coin is an example of such. Source: online Catholic Encyclopedia: Hugh Capet, Archdiocese of Tours.

Coin: AR denier, 18mm. Obv: RAMON COMES, central cross avec 'S' au 2e canton. Rev: TOLOSA CIVI, central monogram like the PAX monogram. R4226, Boudeau 721, Bel 888-96.
Life and times:  The properties of Toulouse were scattered and presented a constant challenge to their rulers to consolidate and expand their territory. During these years Toulouse was pressured by the house of Barcelona over common interests in Provence. When Henry II of England assumed control of Aquitaine, as a result of his own strength and an alliance with Barcelona, he pressured Raymond V such that Raymond was forced to recognize Angevin overlordship in 1173. Raymond sought relative independence by turning to France and married Constance, the sister of  Louis VII. While the marriage floundered, the alliance did not and Raymond substituted French meddling for English in his kingdom. He subsequently married Richilda of Provence and they had four children. His heir was his son Raymond VI, who died in 1222. He had tangled alliances with the Papacy, also leading to long tem complications for his house. Raymond sought an alliance and was ceded the county of Melgueil in 1171, which gave him some control over its currency, the most widely circulated in Toulouse. The coinage of Raymond V circulated broadly, including into the Levant during the Crusades. Source: Dunbabin,  299-304.

Coin: AR denier, 19 mm. Obv: .RADVLFVS, central omega. Rev: +XOLIQYN, central cross with two besants. R 4045v. Seller id PdA 1994.

Coin: AR denier, 18mm. Obv: VGO COMES, central cross. Rev: +MARCHIE, central cross surrounded by crescents and two annulets. R4363, Boud 437 (Boudeau indicates VGO COMES as reverse).
Life: He is the son of Hugues VIII 'le Brun' (~1118-1165) and Bourgogne de Rancon (Dame of Fontenay) (~1120 - ?). He married Mathilde of Taillefer (~1165 - ~1233). Their son, Hugues X, succeeded him. Hugues X ended up marrying the widow of John Lackland and died in Surrey in 1249. Hugues IX died on crusade. His family played an important role outside of France as crusader knights and kings, including a period as rulers of Cyprus. Source: Tanner CME 308-20, Doug Bingham online.
Times: The house of Lusignan was an influential family on the borders between French and English controlled lands. This was a time when feudal alliances shifted between England and France, and shifted among neighbors. For example, after Hugues became count of La Marche, he ultimately reconciled with the duc of Angouleme (also a claimant for those lands and title) and in 1200 was promised the daughter of the duc (Isabella) for his son (to be Hugues X). John of England instead married Isabella, pushing the house of Lusignan into an alliance with Philip Augustus that ultimately drove John from his Angevin holdings. By 1214 circumstances had changed and Hugues offered John fealty and John offered his daughter as a bride for Hugues X. As it turned out, John died, leaving Isabella a widow who in turned married her original betrothed, Hugues X. Source: Tanner, CME VI 1964, 308-320.

Coin: Billon (?) denier, 17mm. Obv: +R COMES PALACI, cross surrounded by dots. Rev: +DVX MARCHIO:PV, center crescent and star burst. Mint from the old Marquisate of the Counts of Toulouse. R4351(? - images matches coin but id'd as Raymond V of Toulouse, but doesn't fit Bou. RV text), Boud 787. CGB Monnaies V #778 as Raymond VII. CGB cites R4355.
Life: Raymond was the son of Raymond VI and  Jeanne Plantagenet (daughter of Henry II Plantagenet). His paternal grandparents were Raymond V of Toulouse and Constance of France. He was born at Beaucaire. He married Sancha de Aragon and they had one child, who became his heir as Countess Jeanne of Toulouse. He died September 27 1249 at Millau.
Times: These were hard times for Toulouse and the county ultimately went to royal French hands via his daughter Jeanne. Raymond VI triggered a crusade against Toulouse due to the assassination of a papal representative and his support of  the cathar heresy. He was stripped of his lands and the titles were given to his son, Raymond VII. The crusade continued against Raymond VII, driven by his support of the Albegensians as well as by Louis VIII's desire for his lands. He ultimately succumbed to royal pressure, did public penance and pledged his daughter Jeanne to Alphonse of France (brother of
Louis IX). It was Alphonse who inherited the title of count of Toulouse and on his death, the lands went to the royal family. Sources: Catholic Encyclopedia - Raymond VII, various online geneologies, CGB

Coin: AR denier, 19mm. Obv: A COMES TOLOSE, chatel tournois. Rev: +MARCH PVINCIE, cross. Mint in Provence(?). R5213, Boud 791.
Life: The "of France" in his title means he was of royal descent. His father was Louis VIII and mother was Blanche of Castile. His paternal grandparents were Philip II "Auguste" and Isabelle of Hainault. His maternal grandparents were Alphonso VIII of Castile and Eleanor of Anjou. His brother ruled as Louis IX (St. Louis). He was born in Paris 11/11/1220 and was titled comte of Poitiers (an apanage from his brother), comte of  Toulouse and marguisate of Provence (inherited from his father in law) and duc d'Auvergne. He married Jeanne of Toulouse (daughter of Raymond VII) in 1249. Both died within days of each other in 1271 (he on 21 August) at Corneto Castle near Sienna, Italy. Since there was no heir his lands and titled reverted to the French crown, in the person of Philip III. Source: B. Stewart web site and CGB.

Coin: AR denier,  18mm. Obv: CENTVLLOCOII, central cross with two adjacent annelets in the top quarters. Rev: +ONOR FORCAS, central PAX. North 4182, Boudeau 525, Bel 874-76.
Life: Bearn is a city south of Bordeaux in SW France. Centulle I married Beatrix, countess of Bigorre (1040 - 97) in 1060. Centulle inherited the county on the death of his father in law in 1078. Centulle II (1070-1138), son of Centulle I, succeeded his brother (who died without issue) as count of Bigorre in 1113. Centulle II's daughter became countess of Bigorre and her son Centulle III (b 1143) inherited the title on his mother's death. On his father's death Centulle also inherited the title of Viscount of Marsan.

Coin: AR obol, 16mm. Obv: CARLVS REX, central cross. Rev: MEL/ALO/+. R 3877; Boud 414 who suggests 11-12th C.

Coin: Bill denier, 16mm. Ovb: +CATVRCIS, central cross. Rev: +CIVITAS, central design. Mint is Cahors. R4662v. His reverse field is similar to this but has an alpha on the bottom, whereas this has opposing arrow points. Boud 781-2v; PdA 3920v, plate 87:15, similar to Roberts, not this reverse.

Coin: AR Carlin, 25mm. +ROBERT.DEI.GRA.IHL.ET.SICII.REX, central seated figure. Rev: +COMES.PUINCIE.ET.FORCALQERII, central ornate cross with ornate detail. Mint is Avignon. R6856; boud 832; PdA 3982 plate 89:15.

The coin: Billon denier, 19mm. Obv: COMES FVLCO, central cross. Rev: +VRBS ANDEGAV, central monogram. Mint in Anjou. R4112.-4114v. ID via Roberts is difficult. The obverse monogram is 4112, note the 'k' on the lower right of the monogram and the 'S' in COMES in the legend, whiich is closer to 4112 than 4114. Also note the visible 'alpha' in one of the quadrants  of the obverse cross. The obverse is close to Fulk III Nerra. On the other hand, the reverse legend matches 4113 (Geoffrey II).  Boud 152v as argent and Fulk IV (1060-1109).

Coin: Billon denier, 17mm. Obv: S.STEP+HANVS, central hand with two fingers extended. Rev: +CRISTOPOLVS, central cross. Mint: Archbishops of Besancon, mid 11th C (during the reign of Hugues II of Bresancon 1064-85?). R4751, Boud 1273, 74

Coin: Billon denier, 19mm. Obv: ARTIRPTN(or H)M, central hand with two fingers extended. Rev: +BISONTIVM, central cross. R 4756.

The coin: AR denier, 19mm. Obv: PTHOMARTIR, central hand. Legend starts at 7 o'clock. Rev: BISVNTIVN, central cross. R4757v(for text, not design); Boud 1281. Seller, Hagadorn, id's as PdA 5377.

Coin: Ar denier, 19mm, .0.9 gr, late 12th C. Obv: SEA MARIA, virgin crowned. Rev: VRBS ARVERNA, central cross, crossed lis. R4907, Boud 379-381 as Sea Maria.

Coin: AR denier, 18mm. Obv: +RIL DVNIS CATO, wool comb, o+o above. Rev: +SEEI:OMS:CIVIA, cross in circle of dots, alpha and omega and two besants per quadrant. Mint is Sens. It is interesting to note that the 'comb' on the obverse here moved to the reverse on subsequent coins from Provins. R4097 or 4724 (the difference is not clearly matched to the coin); Boud 1754.

Coin: AR denier, 20 mm. Obv: +TEBALT COMES, central cross, opposing besants in quadrants 1 and 3, other symbols in quadrants 2 and 4. Rev: CASTRI PRVVINS, central line indicating a field over a comb. Provins is just outside the Burgundian sphere of influence, in Champagne. The field (champ) and comb (peigne) is a visual pun on the name of the region. R4726, Boudeau 1759, not in Bel.
Life: He was son of Stephen (of Blois) and Adela. He married Matilda of Carinthia and they had seven children. Two of his sons married daughters of Louis VII (Henry and Thibaud V) while a daughter, Mary, married Hugh III (next coin) of Burgundy. This established alliances with the major houses on his borders. He was succeeded first by Henry and then by another son, Thibaud V.
Times: When Thibaut inherited Troyes and Meaux he decided to move there from the family home in Blois. This was in part because the territory was also coveted by Louis VI, and Thibaut felt it was necessary to be on site to protect his interests. The domains were a hodgepodge of lands held in fief of the king, duc of Burgundy and the HRE. His reign was characterized by administrative efficiency and successful use of the rights of coinage. He and his heirs benefitted from the famous Champagne fairs that brought prosperity to this part of France. Thibaut offered homage to Eudes II of Burgundy (father of Hugh III) in a way that recognized overlordship but did not owe any real duties like military support. From Burgundy's point of view, this preserved their claim to Troyes. Source: Dunbabin 308, 312-5

Billon denier, 19mm. Obv: + HENRI COMES, central cross with diagonal arrow, symbols in opposing quadrants. Rev:  CASTRI PRVVINS, central comb under symbols. R4727 as Henri I or II, but obverse symbol is closer to R4726. Seller says Boud 1760 but while central obverse sysmbol matches, obv. text does not.

Coin: Denier, 17mm. Obv: +VGO DVX BVRG: DEI, central cross with rounded ends, one visible besant. Rev: +DIVIONENSIS, central cross. R4521v (R's reverse does not have a pellet, as does this coin and shows four besants on the reverse, not evident on this coin - closer to H III than HIV). Not in Boudeau, Bel.
Life and times: The 12th century was a time of relative prosperity for Burgundy, supported by the growth of the wine trade. The ducs of Burgundy "kept a low profile on the international scene" but established alliances with the HRE via two marriages. Hugh III married first Alix of Lorraine and second Beatrice of Albon (Viennois). The serious conflict that emerged was over competition for alliances along the Burgundian border with Royal French territory. This conflict was first with Louis VII and by 1180  Philip Augustus, his successor,  triggered a war over the sphere of control between the two. The duchy came to be centered at Dijon and prospered in spite of its westward containment by Philip Augustus. Hugh generally enjoyed good relations with churchmen, alleviating a source of tension common in other parts of France over this century. Hugh died on crusade in 1192. Hugh III's lineage goes back to Hugh Capet. Source: Dunbabin 305-310.

Coin: Billon denier, 19mm. Obv: COMES GUIDONI, central star and crescent (not visible on this coin). Rev: NIVERNIS CIVIT, central short cross. Description from R. Lilly "The coin is centered, and has a grayish-silver color, but it is crudely struck, with weakness in the legends and the images. The crescent, star and staff are actually a degeneration from the word "rEX" in the center of the reverse on earlier coins of Nevers." R4166, Boud 342.
City: From Lilly: "This city, at the confluence of the Loire and Nievre rivers in central France, was named Nevirnum in late Roman times, and the legend on the obverse of the coin refers to the city by a form of that latin name. In January, 1170, during the period when this type of coin was minted, the Pope commissioned the Bishop of Nevers and the Archbishop of Rouen to attempt to reconcile the differences between Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury, and King Henry II of England. They failed in that endeavor, and Thomas was murdered in December of that year."

Coin: BL Denier, 17mm. Obv: +VGO BVRGONDIE,  central cross with diagonal staff topped by three pellets on each side. Rev: AVSONIENSIS, central Anille. Seller (Mather) id'd as Hugh IV but not clearly in North. See North 4522+ for similar types, Boudeau 1214 as Hugh V, Bel 429 as H IV.
Life: Hugh was born March 9, 1212. His father was Eudes III of Burgundy and mother was Alice de Vergy. He was a grandson of Hugh III of Burgundy. He married (1229) first Yolande de Dreux (1212 - 48) and second Beatrice de Navarra (1242-1295). He had ten children and was succeeded by his son Robert II (1249 - 1305). Hugh died October 27, 1272 at Villaines en Duismois. Source: various on line geneologies.

Coin: Denier, 19mm. Obv: K COMES PROVINCIE, central monogram. Rev: +FIL_REGIS FRANCIE, cross with two besants, one lis and one ?. R4124, not clearly in Boudeau but obv same as 814, not in Bel.
Life and times: For a look at his life and times see Charles of Anjou on the Burgundy pages.

Coin: AR denier, 19 mm, 0.8 gr. Obv: NIVERNENSIS, shield with lions rampant. Rev: ROBERTVS COMES, central cross. R4586; Boud 350 which ids "croix auxerroise."

Coin: BL denier, 21 mm. Obv: AVTSIODER CI, central cross. Rev: no inscription, inner circle with cross. R4451, Boudeau 1730 (under Champagne), Bel 407.
Times: Auxerre was part of the old duchy of Burgundy, going back to Richard the Justiciar. By the 11th C the duchy had shrunk considerably and Auxerre and surrounding areas looked to the king for protection rather than the duc. Auxerre came under bishopric control. By the 12th C proximity to Burgundy became important to Auxerre, as its military support was closer than royal support. Auxerre was one of several 12th C episcopal sees in the area of Nevers and Champagne (along with Sens and Troyes). My sense is that Auxerre remained under church control until the general consolidation of such territories into royal domains, starting with Louis VII and Philip Augustus. Source: Dunbabin 180-1, 368.

Coin: Bl denier, 17mm. Obv: +VGO DVX BVRG: DIE, quarter anchor cross. Rev: +DIVIONENSIS, central cross. R4534, Boud 1211.
Life: He is the son of Robert II of Bourgogne, duc of Burgundy (~1245 - 9/10/1305) and Agnes Princess of France (1260 - 1327), youngest daughter of Louis IX and Marguerite Berenger, born in Paris, died at Abbeye de Citeaux. His parents had 9 children and Hugues was the second son (his older brother died 1283). Hugues was born 1282 in Of and died 9 May 1315 in Argilly. He married Catherine de Valois (born 1275) on 24/3/1302. Sources: various online geneologies, including Benjamin.

Coin: BL denier, 17mm. Obv: illegible inscription, distinctive central design. Rev: illegible, four circles with central besant. This is in Provence, which was at times part of Burgundy, or close to its borders. R4336, Boudeau 754 (which describes it with "legendes barbares"), Bel 928.

Coin: AR denier, 18mm.  Obv: +PRIMASEDES, central cross with L leg. Rev: +GALLIARV, central cross. Note that one leg of the V is a cross. R 4031.

Coin: Denier, 16mm. Obv: S.M.VIENNA, central portrait left. Rev: MAXIMA GALL, central cross with pellets. R5045, although his reverse does not show pellets. Boudeau 1045, Bel 980.
Times: "Charlemagne ... had established uniformity of coinage and had caused the right of coining to be acknowledged as exclusively belonging to the sovereign; but his weaker successors were gradually compelled to yield this, as well as most of the other royal prerogatives, to the feudatory lords, whose power continued to increase as that of the paramount  government weakened. Among these feudatories were not only all archbishops and bishops but also the leading abbots and abbesses within the empire.  ... French coinage ... in the tenth century, (particularly) coinages of lay and ecclesiastical barons (the archbishops of Vienne, Arles, Reims, etc. in particular), (is) characterized by a fixed type (type immobilisé) which is maintained unaltered for a long period." It would remain unaltered since unlike ducal rulers who changed coinage styles and portraits with changes in reign, ecclesiastical coinage was often place centered rather than person centered. Source: online Catholic Encyclopedia - Numismatics

Coin: BL denier, 18mm. Obv: VRBS VALENTIAI, stylized angel. Rev: S APOLLINARS, cross pommetee cantonnee d'un annelet. Boudeau 1021, Bel 965, R4782 (but R does not show the besant). Second coin more clearly R4782.
Times: See Archbishops of Vienne above.

Coin: AR denier, 19 mm. Obv: MAIOLVS...SES, facing bust of St, Maiolus holding crosier. Rev: SILVINIACA(?), central cross. R 4916.
Times: See Archbishops of Vienne above.

Coin: AR denier, 16mm. Obv: +SEDES LAVSANE, temple over three annelets. Rev: +CIVITAS EQ'SRIV, central cross. R4486; Boud 1188, not in PdA.

Coin: AR quarto, 18mm. Obv: AMEDEVS DVX SAB, central word FERT between two lines. Rev: IN ITALIA MARCHIO, central cross in diamond. Mint: Savoy. R9706, Boud 1132.
Life and times: He had a remarkably successful life and knew when to voluntarily step off the stage. Over a 33 year reign he held significant territory covering parts of the county of Burgundy, Savoy, lands into Italy, down to Provence and extending into the the realm of the Swiss confederation. He was a statesman, not a soldier, hence he was careful about choosing reasonable goals and accepting limitations on his power (for example, while he acquired the county of Genevois, he did not push to control the city of Geneva, which sought to remain independent). He was a Renaissaince prince and an effective lawmaker, author of the Statuta Sabaudiac. Cope notes "It was his remarkable achievement that for fifty years Savoy was sheltered from the wars that and civil strife that convulsed most of Europe." Amedeus abdicated to live the life of a monk, was called out of that retirement to serve the church (becomong Pope Felix V) and abdicated the papacy in 1449. He died in 1451, just before the end of the 100 Year's War. He married Mary of Burgundy and was succeeded by his son Louis I. Source: Cope 154-156.

Coin: AR double gros vierlander, 28mm. Obv: PHS:DEI:GRA:DVX:BVRG:Z:COMES:FLAND, central shield, 1 and 3 full quarters, 2 and 4 split quarters. Rev: +MONETA:NOVA:COMITIS:FLAND, ornate cross with lis in center, lis and lions in opposite quadrants. R7981, Boudeau 2263.
Life and times: For the life and times of  Philip the Good and the Hundred Year's War look on the Burgundy pages.

Coin: AR double patard of Flanders, 26mm. Obv: +K(?)AROLVS:DEI:GRA:DVX:BVRG:Z:COMES:FLAND, divided central shield, 1 and 3 full quarters, 2 and 4 split. Rev: +SIT:NOMEN:_DOMT:B_:BENEDICTVM, ornate cross with lis at center. R7884, Boudeau 2267.
Life and times: For the life and times of Charles the Bold look on the Burgundy pages.

Coin: Florin d'or au St. Philippe, 24 mm., 3.3 gr. Obv: S PH'E INTERCD PRO NOBIS, central shield surmounted by crown. Rev: PHS DEI GRA ARCHID AVSTE DVX BVRG, central ornate cross. Mint is Antwerp, 1496-99. While Philippe le Beau is in Roberts, this coin is not.

Strasbourg, Alsace (15th - 16th C)

For a larger image click here

Coin: AR kreuzer (two deniers), 16mm. Obv: GLA IN EXCELS DO, central lis. Rev: MONETA ARGENS, central lis. R9070, Boudeau 1335.

Coin: 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.
Life and times: 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 Melum 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

Coin: AR denier, 19mm. 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).
Life: 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.

Coin: AR denier, 18mm. Obv: degenerate head. Rev: DYNI CSASTELL, cross with annulet and 'S'. Chateaudun, 11th C. R5079, Boud 238v.

Commune of Amiens: 11th - 12th C

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Coin: AR denier, 20mm, 1.1gr. Obv: +AMBIANIS, central cross. Rev: +CIVIBVSTVIS, central PAX. R4177v. He has no crescent in the obverse cross. Boud 1913v without obverse crescent; PdA 6402v, plate 149:6, also sans crescent.

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

Blois

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Coin: Ar denier, 20 mm, 1.2 gr. Obv: degenerate head, Rev: bEISIS CASTRO, central cross. R5056/57v (variation in the three lower lines on the obverse); Boud 193, which says 'varieties.'

Coin: AR Esterlin, 18mm . Obv: GALENS COMES PORC, English style portrait and crown. Rev: MONET NOV YVE, long cross with three pellets per quadrant.

Coin: AR blanc, 25mm. 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.

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Coin: AR blanc a quatre mouchetures (ermines), 26mm. 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.

Coin: AR prager groschen, 27mm. Obv inner legend: +IOHANNES:PRIMV_, outer legend: DEI GRATIA BOHIMIA(?), central crown. Rev legend unclear, central lion.

Silver dirham of the Spanish Umayyad ruler Abd al-Rahman III (912-961 AD), 25mm. Obv. center: THERE IS NO GOD BUT GOD, HE IS ALONE, MUHAMMAD IS HIS MESSENGER" with a small MUHAMMAD (local official) below. Obv. outer legend: IN THE NAME OF GOD THIS DIRHAM WAS STRUCK AT THE CITY OF AL-ZAHRA IN THE YEAR NINE AND THIRTY AND THREE HUNDRED. Rev center: THE IMAM, THE DEFENDER OF THE FAITH OF GOD, ABD ER-RAHMAN, COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL. Rev. outer legend: MUHAMMAD IS THE MESSENGER OF GOD. HE SENT HIM WITH THE GUIDANCE AND THE RELIGION OF THE TRUTH IN ORDER THAT HE MIGHT CAUSE IT TO BE BRIGHT OVER THE (ALREADY EXISTING) RELIGION, ALL OF IT, ALTHOUGH POLYTHEISTS DISLIKED (IT)." Struck at Madinat al-Zahra, now called Zahra and famous for its gardens. The date is 339 AH (950 AD). This coin is type #350 in Album’s Checklist of Islamic Coins." (Translation by seller Alexander Akin.)