© PCGS
© PCGS
Gros Tournois - Philip III ND
| Silver (.958) | 4.219 g | 25 mm |
| Issuer | France |
|---|---|
| King | Philip III (Philippe III) (1270-1285) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1270-1280 |
| Value | 1 Gros (1⁄20 LT) |
| Currency | Livre tournois (1204-1795) |
| Composition | Silver (.958) |
| Weight | 4.219 g |
| Diameter | 25 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#38310 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 80% |
Reverse
Castle Tournois topped by a cross cutting through the legend; outer border of twelve lilies.
Script: Latin
Lettering: TVRONV•S•CIVIS
Translation: City of Tours.
Comment
Issued en masse by the kings of France in the economically and monetarily troubled period of the early 14th century, copied by forgers and imitated by all foreign princes, gros tournois often cannot be attributed to any particular mint. A study of the style of the coins reveals many of them to be badly engraved, sloppy or marred by errors; imitations come to mind, although we cannot be certain that the official workshops did not also have sloppy or negligent engravers. Comparison of weights is an indication, alas also subject to caution; forgers did not necessarily cheat on weight, and some very good coins may have been trimmed."Coins with the legend + PHILIPVS REX (with a single P) are all from Philip III, but if those with + PHILIPPVS REX with two P are given to Philip IV, it is clear that the change in spelling of the royal name did not coincide with the change of king. The study of the Belgian treasure of Grand-Halleux, buried between 1280 and 1282 and containing three deniers tournois with + PHILIPVS REX and nine with + PHILIPPVS REX, proves that this change took place around 1280 or a little earlier" M. J. Duplessy, Les monnaies royales, tome I 1988.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Gros Tournois coin is that it was used as a standardized form of currency across France during the reign of Philip III, helping to simplify trade and commerce.
