World Silver & Bronze Coins

Lot 2061    Session 7 (11.30am Wednesday 25 March)    World Silver & Bronze Coins

Estimate $100
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $140

FRANCE, Provincial, Provence, issued by Alphonse II- Raimond- Berenger IV,. 1185-1245, silver denier - Royal coronat (0.83 g), Marseilles mint, obv. REX ARA GONE, crowned head left, rev. PO VI NC IA, long cross patt‚e, with three pellets at each limb, (Duplessy, F‚odales 1611; Boudeau 807 (as Alphonse); Rolland 11 [as Alphonse II]; Poey d'Avant 3930 var. [obv. legend; as Alphonse II]) (ilustrated); together with AE 17 of Philip IV of Spain (1621-1665) for ITALY, Milano (Duchi), copper quattrino (1.94 g), obv. Bust right, rev. crowned serpent devouring a man, (CNI V 192; Crippa 28). First coin lightly toned and extremely fine, second fine. (2)

Mid-12th century Provence is a perfect example of the complex systems of marriage alliances that characterized European politics at the time. The Catalan rulers of Aragon desired lands in southern France, but these were held by the counts of Toulouse. As the ruler of Toulouse, Raymond IV, was excommunicated and thus out of favor of the church, Raimond-B‚renger III of Barcelona was able to obtain permission to marry Douce I, countess of Provence, and the two ruled jointly until Douce's death. The territory would remain in Aragonese hands through the House of Barcelona until Raimond IV (V) died without male heirs in 1245. The title would then pass to his daughter, Beatrice, and her husband, Charles d'Anjou. (courtesy of CNG).