3 Deniers = 1 Liard = ½ Double • 12 Deniers = 1 Sol (Sou) • 20 Sols (Sous) = 2 Testons = 1 Livre • 1 Livre and 4 Deniers = 1 Franc
Are we sure about this? For a start, wasn't the double worth two deniers? That's certainly the value we ascribe to the doubles listed (see here for example). Second, is the Franc here meant to be the currency introduced in 1795? If so, it should be 1 Livre 3 Deniers, not 4. Can I suggest the following description (if we need/want the franc):
3 Deniers = 1 Liard = ½ Double • 12 Deniers = 1 Sol (Sou) • 20 Sols (Sous) = 2 Testons = 1 Livre • 1 Livre and 4 Deniers = 1 Franc
Are we sure about this? For a start, wasn't the double worth two deniers? That's certainly the value we ascribe to the doubles listed (see here for example). Second, is the Franc here meant to be the currency introduced in 1795? If so, it should be 1 Livre 3 Deniers, not 4. Can I suggest the following description (if we need/want the franc):
That would make if half a sol. Is there some evidence for that value? We currently value doubles at 2 denier, not 6.
Looking up sources there unfortunately does not seem to be a specific answer. Its a little frustrating. I think it will need a French speaker to find the answer.
The double was so-called because it was worth two liards.
We need a reference for this statement.
I did some digging, and I now agree to withdraw my initial statement as bogus. I must have read something dodgy somewhere and unwittingly remembered something incorrect. The double was indeed worth two deniers.
Status changed to Done(Compendium, 20 Aug 2023, 01:27)
The double was so-called because it was worth two liards.
We need a reference for this statement.
I did some digging, and I now agree to withdraw my initial statement as bogus. I must have read something dodgy somewhere and unwittingly remembered something incorrect. The double was indeed worth two deniers.
Nicely done, and thanks for resolving this. I wrote an article on Guernsey banknotes recently, and had to look well into the backgrounds of these archaic currency units some of which were in use in Guernsey during the period I was interested in. My knowledge about the units is thin, and am always open to correction on them.
If you ever find out why the Guernsey double was equvalent to 3 denier by the 19th centrury, please let us know. I've been tring to find out for many years.
Former Numista referee for banknotes from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Saint Helena.
If you ever find out why the Guernsey double was equvalent to 3 denier by the 19th centrury, please let us know. I've been tring to find out for many years.
Apparently “Double” is just an usage derived from the Double Denier but its value was 1 Liard, which was circulating there, and worth 3 actual deniers.
So it seems its just a local abuse of language from the inhabitants :-)
Apparently “Double” is just an usage derived from the Double Denier but its value was 1 Liard, which was circulating there, and worth 3 actual deniers.
So it seems its just a local abuse of language from the inhabitants :-)
Indeed, ‘Double’ is a derivation from ‘Double Denier ’ - the currency of Guernsey is quite an interesting topic.
It was the gradual devaluation of the French Franc in the early twentieth century, and in particular the introduction of the paper Franc in place of the silver coin, which pushed Guernsey to link its currency to Sterling on 30 March 1921 and break the link to the Franc.
If you ever find out why the Guernsey double was equvalent to 3 denier by the 19th centrury, please let us know. I've been tring to find out for many years.
In Guernsey, the Livre had been fixed in value relative to the British Pound in 1723.
The French Livre gradually devalued after 1723, while the Guernsey Livre held its value because it was linked to the British pound, based on the value of a gold sovereign.
If you ever find out why the Guernsey double was equvalent to 3 denier by the 19th centrury, please let us know. I've been tring to find out for many years.
Apparently “Double” is just an usage derived from the Double Denier but its value was 1 Liard, which was circulating there, and worth 3 actual deniers.
So it seems its just a local abuse of language from the inhabitants :-)
