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Groschen with shield - Francis II
| Issuer | Duchy of Brittany |
|---|---|
| Year | 1458-1488 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1 Groschen (1/20) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | A floriated or flowered cross occupies the center of the field, its arms terminating in ornate trefoil or fleur-de-lis finials, with four pellets disposed in the angles around the central crossing point. The cross is enclosed within a beaded inner circle, beyond which a circular Latin legend runs along the periphery, punctuated by star-shaped stops. The reverse design follows the standard late medieval devotional formula, invoking a blessing upon the name of the Lord. The hammered flan imparts a characteristic irregular outline to the coin. |
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| Reverse lettering | + SIT : NOMEN : DNI : BENEDICTV : ★ (Translation: Blessed be the name of our lord.) |
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| Additional information |
Francis II ruled Brittany during its final decades of independence, spending much of his reign maneuvering diplomatically and militarily against French encroachment. The groschen denomination was a Franco-Flemish borrowing, adopted by Breton mints as silver coinage became increasingly necessary for the duchy's trade economy. Francis died in 1488 — weeks after the catastrophic defeat at Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier, where French forces effectively ended any realistic prospect of Breton sovereignty. His daughter Anne would formally bring the duchy into the French orbit through successive royal marriages.