Gold Hardi - Henry IV / Henry V / Henry VI

The hardi d'or was a denominational holdover from Edward the Black Prince, who introduced it in Aquitaine during the 1360s as part of a deliberate policy to project English monetary authority over the duchy. By the time Henry IV inherited the title, the type had been struck continuously for decades — a rare case of monetary conservatism serving a political purpose, since maintaining a recognizable coinage reinforced the legitimacy of English lordship without requiring fresh propaganda.

Attribution across the three Henrys remains genuinely difficult. Die analysis and minor stylistic variation are the primary tools, and even specialist references disagree on boundaries. The series ends abruptly with English expulsion from Aquitaine in 1453.