Posted 8 years ago
beyemvey
(214 items)
The coin was struck in Provence, and is the size of a French denier or English silver penny. The obverse features Alfonso II's crowned head left with the inscription +Rex Aragon. The reverse features the inscription Provincia around a long cross pattée. Minted Marseille, 1st type. c. 1186. The coin is in extremely fine condition. B. 807, .72G.
Alfonso II was king of Aragon and also Count of Barcelona and Provence. He reigned from 1164 until his death in 1196. Later in his reign he gave Provence to his younger son, Alfonso. His grandson, Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence was the father of four of the queens of European nations: Marguerite, Queen of France (wife of Louis IX), Eleanor, Queen of England (Wife of Henry III), Sanchia, Queen of Germany, and Beatrice, Queen of Sicily. I descend from Eleanor & Henry III, making Alfonso my 26th Great Grandfather.
Some history of Alfonso II... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfonso_II_of_Aragon
I wish coins would catch on here a bit more than they have - thank you for the good wishes - Blunderbuss, Lisa, Ho2cultcha, Vetraio, Surfdub. Rick, Militarist, & Valentino!
Thank you kindly Jimam:-) Bob
Wow.... GULP, what a item !!
How wonderful to know your history so far back and a great history it is too..I have no! hope, my family name is..Smith!...:-/
Thank you CindB. I've. Been collecting coins for over 40 years :-)
Antiquerose - these are seldom found in such pristine condition. I appreciate the kind words:-)
Penny - I started with my parents and have been collecting documents and gradually working my way back from there. I was pretty lucky that records still existed and I was able to go back fifty generations or so with my paternal grandmother 's family.