Code: 12708
This is a medieval copper-alloy Jetton dating to the 15th century AD. Jettons, also known as Reckoning Counters, were used by merchants and bankers to calculate and add up transactions. See Jettons or Reckoning Counters Mernick.
Obverse: ‘four fleur de lis in lozenge’ type probably issued in either Paris or Tournai. This is a royal jetton, with the inscription of VIVE LE ROI VIVE LE ROI on the obverse (translated as ‘Long live the King, long live the King’), and is known to have been struck in the period 1488-97, spanning the reigns of both Louis XI (AD1461-1483) and Charles VIII (AD1483-1497).
Reverse legend reads GETTES*BIEN*PAIES*BIEN (roughly translating as: to buy well, you pay well).
This is a nice sentiment to display on a counter for merchants.
DENOMINATION: Jetton
CULTURE: Medieval
DATE: c. 1488 - 1497 AD
MATERIAL: Copper-alloy
SIZE: 25mm diameter
WEIGHT: 1.81 grams
PROVENANCE: Formerly in a private collection in Lowestoft, United Kingdom
