BRITISH, Plantagenet. Edward III, 1327-1377. Noble d'Or (Gold, 34 mm, 7.64 g, 2 h), Treaty Period, Calais, 1363-1369. ЄD-WΛRD:DЄI:GRΛ:RЄXΛNGL:DNS:hYB:Z:ΛQVT Crowned Edward III standing facing on ship, holding sword in his right hand and shield with coat of arms in his left; flag in the left field. Rev. ✠ IhC:ΛVTЄM:TRANSIЄNS:PЄR:MЄDIV:ILLORVM:IBΛT Ornate cross with lis terminals, lions passant guardant within angles and beneath crowns, within tressure of eight arches; mint mark C at center. North 1235. SCBC 1504. A beautiful and well struck piece. The usual minor areas of weakness and with very light doubling on the obverse, otherwise, extremely fine.



Under Edward III of England, England introduced its first regular gold coinage in 1344. After initial attempts to imitate French gold coins - which proved unpopular in circulation - the Noble d’Or presented here became established, valued at six shillings and eight pence, or one-third of a pound.

In 1337, Edward III initiated the Hundred Years' War by asserting his claim to the French throne. During his reign, the English achieved major victories, including the Battle of Crécy in 1346 and the capture of Calais in 1347. In 1363, the English established a mint in this conquered city, where the Noble d’Or presented here was also struck. Coins from Calais are considerably rarer than their counterparts struck in England.