With the Title Duke of Lancaster
Ex Elias Collection

Triton XVIII, Lot: 1825. Estimate $2500. Sold for $2750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANGLO-GALLIC. Henry of Lancaster. As Duke of Lancaster, 1351-1361. BI Gros au léopard couchant (25.5mm, 1.53 g, 12h). Bergerac mint. + · Є:n DnS BR[ΛGIE]/ [+ BnDICTV : SIT : nOmЄ : DnI : nRI : DЄI], cross calvary / Crowned lepard couchant left; LΛnCΛ[I]/IE : DVX in two lines below; all within tressure of twelve arches containing leaves. SCBC 8115; Elias 136; Elias, Bergerac 10.5.1 corr. (legends as 10.4.1) = Elias Collection 239 (this coin) corr. (Elias 136); Duplessy, Féodales 1003; Boudeau –; Poey d'Avant 2690. Near VF, toned, crude and weakly struck. Extremely rare.

From the Michael Joffre Collection, purchased from Steve Ford. Ex E.R. Duncan Elias Collection (Spink 77, 21 June 1990), lot 239, purchased from Peter Woodhead.

On 6 of March 1351, Edward III bestowed the title of Duke on Henry. This was an exceptional honor, giving Henry powers palatine for the county of Lancaster. Prior to Henry’s elevation, only one other ducal title had existed in England. The change in title is reflected in the issues in Henry’s name from Bergerac.