Quiz of the week: Do you know which French currency was first used to finance a crusade? 🪙
French history is full of fascinating anecdotes about currencies, but some are particularly striking. Do you know which French currency was used to finance a crusade?
Here are your options:
A) The Frank on Horseback of John II the Good
B) The Denarius of Charlemagne
C) The Big Tournament of Louis IX
D) The Golden Shield of Philip VI
💬 Share your answer in the comments and discover the detailed answer on Thursday on our blog!
👉 In the meantime, dive into our other quizzes and legendary stories on our blog.
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Answer to the Quiz: The Big Tournament of Louis IX
The correct answer is C: The Grand Tournament of Louis IX .
Introduced in 1266, the Gros Tournois was a silver coin minted during the reign of Louis IX, also known as Saint Louis. This robust and high-purity coin was used to finance many royal projects, including Louis IX's participation in the Crusades.
The History of the Big Tournament
The creation of the Gros Tournois marks an important step in French monetary history. Designed to be a stable and universal currency, it played a central role in the medieval economy.
With its 4.22 grams of pure silver, this coin was worth 12 deniers tournois, a significant sum at the time. Its use extended beyond French borders, becoming a reference currency in international trade.
A role in the crusades
Louis IX, a fervent Christian, took part in two crusades: the seventh (1248-1254) and the eighth (1270). Financing these expeditions required colossal sums. The Gros Tournois, because of its value and purity, was used to collect funds from lords and merchants.
These crusades, although marked by military failures, symbolize the devotion of Saint Louis and his role in the religious and political history of France.
A treasure for numismatists
Today, the Gros Tournois is prized by collectors. With its elegant inscriptions and its cross pattée surrounded by a fortified castle, this coin is a true witness to the medieval era.
💬 Did you know that this coin played such a role in history?
👉 Discover more details about this currency in this dedicated article !
Illustrations:
- Large tournaments from 1266 mentioning Ludovicus Rex (obverse) by Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com , CC BY-SA 3.0 , Link
- Saint Louis and the Seventh Crusade by Guillaume de Saint-Pathus, Life and Miracles of Saint Louis — http://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320Hist&Civ/chapters/15CRUSAD.htm , Public domain, Link