Need some suggestions...coins minted in Paris same time Notre Dame was built

Dennis88 · October 20, 2014 6:58AM

I asked my wife to marry me outside of the Notre Dame (across the Seine) and have been pondering the idea of adding a coin minted in Paris during the same time that the Notre Dame de Paris was built. This would mean a coin minted between 1160 and 1345. Preferably I would like a coin minted during the early period of construction, so say 1160-1225. My budget for this is approximately $300.

Any suggestions?

Dennis

WillieBoyd2 · October 20, 2014 8:23AM

French silver deniers (denarius or penny) might be what you want.

For example, Forum Ancient Coins has some for around $100.

LochNESS · October 20, 2014 10:07AM

Great idea! But consider a coin from the final year instead. Typically with a major construction project the most celebrated dates are groundbreaking and ribbon cutting. The later date will have a much more attractive range of coins from which to choose, while earlier pieces may not look as "romantic" or pretty. But if you like the earlier stuff, then perhaps a "groundbreaking" coin from the first year?

Dennis88 · October 20, 2014 2:21PM

I'm not opposed to a later piece, such as a Gros Tournois, but the problem is that I have absolutely no clue where they were struck...I really want a piece that was definitively struck in Paris.

Looks like a Denier from Philippe II is my best bet, they are common enough, but unfortunately I haven't found a single one I like (i.e. high grade enough where I can easily identify it).

Hmmm. This is harder than I thought.

Dennis

Dennis88 · October 20, 2014 2:24PM

For example, this would be a great piece, but I presume this was minted in Tours:

Link

lordmarcovan · October 20, 2014 7:54PM

That's a fantastic looking medieval.

Andres · October 20, 2014 11:09PM

Since the Notre Dame was completed in 1345 , you might be interested in a coin minted under Philippe VI (1328-1350)
a golden ECU can be bought for around 500 Euro , not on eBay right now, but Kuenker and others have cheaper examples of this very nice design coin.

Philippe VI on eBay

Dennis88 · October 21, 2014 1:00AM

I ran across this coin last night and I bought it. It's exactly what I had in mind (seller's images):

Louis VII (1137-1180). Denier Paris. 3rd Type. Duplessy-146var

This is about the best example of this type I saw in my few hours of research and the date almost perfectly matches when construction of the Notre Dame started. All the lettering is clear, which was my main requirement, including the all-important "PARISII CIVIS".

I do like Andres' suggestion of adding an ECU from Philippe VI to this as well. It's a little bit above my budget right now but I will definitely keep that in mind. It's definitely a big difference with this coin but for outsiders it might be more reminiscent of the Notre Dame itself and it's style.

STLNATS · October 21, 2014 1:06AM

Nice, love it when a plan comes together. Congrats!

LochNESS · October 21, 2014 1:34AM

Dennis, that's a fantastic coin. Congrats on your newp!

Andres · October 21, 2014 5:45AM

Gefeliciteerd Dennis , leuk scherp muntje

Need some suggestions...coins minted in Paris same time Notre Dame was built

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