© Nemesis0169
© Nemesis0169
Bourgeois Fort - Philippe IV ND
1311 year| Billon (.479 silver) | 1.359 g | 21 mm |
| Issuer | France |
|---|---|
| King | Philip IV (Philippe IV) (1285-1314) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1311 |
| Value | 2 Deniers (1⁄120 LP) |
| Currency | Pound Parisis (987-1667) |
| Composition | Billon (.479 silver) |
| Weight | 1.359 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#45797 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 88% |
Reverse
FOR/TIS, in the field, in two lines, under a crown intersecting the legend at the top.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
BVRGENSIS
FOR
TIS
Translation: Strong Bourgeois
Comment
Bourgeois is a term used to designate a series of 3 billon coins from the reign of Philip IV the Fair, with the legend "Burgensis", hence their name. They appear to have been minted according to the Paris system, but their values were aligned with those of :
the double tournois for the bourgeois fort ;
the denier for the simple bourgeois
the maille for the maille bourgeoise.
definition taken from Mr Michel Galléazzi's numismatic lexicon (Numismatique & Change No 206 May 1991)
Interesting fact
The Bourgeois Fort coin was minted during the reign of King Philippe IV of France, also known as Philippe le Bel, who ruled from 1285 to 1314. The coin was part of a series of currency reforms implemented by the king to address the financial crisis caused by his expensive military campaigns and lavish spending. The Billon used in the coin was a silver-copper alloy that was introduced as a cost-saving measure, as it was cheaper than pure silver. Despite its lower silver content, the coin was still widely accepted and used in trade, and it remains a popular collector's item among numismatists today.
