Avignon (1370-78) sesino Ber-214
This specimen was lot 894 in Jean Elsen sale 162 (Brussels, June 2025), where it sold for €600 (about US$832 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, ÉTATS PONTIFICAUX, Grégoire XI (1370-1378), (Pierre Roger de Beaufort), AR quart de gros (sesino), Avignon. D/ (clés) GREGORVS VNDEC' Mitre au-dessus de PP. R/ + SANCTVS PETRVS: Croix cantonnée de deux mitres et deux groupes de clés en sautoir. Rare. (France, Papal States, Gregory XI, 1370-78, quarter groat or sesino, Avignon mint. Obverse: miter below crossed keys and above two P's; reverse: cross pattée cantonned with two miters and two pairs of crossed keys. Rare, Fine - Very Fine.)"
Wikipedia comments, "Pope Gregory XI (born Pierre Roger de Beaufort; c. 1329 – 27 March 1378) was head of the Catholic Church from 30 December 1370 to his death, in March 1378. He was the seventh and last Avignon pope and the most recent French pope recognized by the modern Catholic Church. In 1377, Gregory XI returned the Papal court to Rome, ending nearly 70 years of papal residency in Avignon, France. His death was swiftly followed by the Western Schism involving two Avignon-based antipopes." A sesino (or sizain) was six deniers or half a sol.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: billon, this specimen 1,31 g.
Catalog reference: Munt. 15; Berman 214; P.A. 4181.
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- Francesco Muntoni, Le Monete del Papi e Degli Stati Pontifici, 4 vols. Rome: P & P Santamaria, 1973.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 162: Collection Jacques Druart, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
Link to: