FRANCE, Provincial. Florennes. Gaucher de Châtillon, 1313-1322. Esterlin (Silver, 19 mm, 1.34 g, 12 h), Sterling imitation of Edwardian type. Florennes (Florene), 1314-1322. ✠ GAL'ChS COMES POR• Crowned and draped bust facing, with bird ornaments in crown. Rev. MON - ET:F - LOR - INS Long cross pattée, three pellets in angles. Chautard pl. XIX, 5 var. (slightly differing bust). Mayhew 249e. Extremely rare. Beautifully toned. Minor areas of weakness on the obverse and some edge cracks, otherwise, very fine.



Gaucher de Châtillon, Constable of France and Count of Porcien, struck coins in the lordships of Florennes and Neufchâteau as the husband of Isabelle de Rumigny, widow of Thibaud II of Lorraine, whom he married in 1313. In doing so, he imitated the English sterlings which had become highly popular across Europe through North Sea trade.

While the Esterlins of Yves are widely encountered, those of Florennes are extremely rare and are distinguished by the birdlike ornaments in the crown. Mayhew recorded only six specimens (Cf. N. J. Mayhew: Sterling Imitations of Edwardian Type, London 1983, p. 99f.).