I'm currently undertaking my undergraduate dissertation at university. It is on the continental European influence on Scottish coinage from 1390 to 1603. France has had a considerable influence on Scotland's coinage and I was wondering if any collectors of French coinage from this period would be able to recommend some books on the subject.
The main English language publication on the subject that I have come across is 'Coinage in France from the Dark Ages to Napoleon' by Nicholas Mayhew. Are there any other English works that you would recommend?
The vast majority of literature on the topic is in French. I'm not a French speaker so I have to rely on heavily illustrated works. I currently have a copy of 'Les Monnaies Royales Françaises 987-1793' by Arnaud Clairand. I have found this book to be extremely useful as it is extensively illustrated. However, it is just under 300 pages long so I'm assuming it doesn't provide a complete rundown of the royal issues.
The other catalogue that I'm familiar with is the two volume 'Monnaies Françaises Royales' by Jean Duplessy. How extensive is this catalogue and how heavily illustrated is it? Do you think it is worth the large price, especially when compared to Clairand's catalogue?
Are there any other books that you would recommend?
I have the two Duplessy volumes you mentioned plus two more Duplessy volumes on Feudal coins (Les Monnaies Françaises Féodales). They have quite a few illustrations. These books have 368+402+376+375 pages total.
My knowledge of French is awful, but these volumes are still useful -- a whole lot easier to understand than the handful of unavoidable German-language coin catalogs (Saurma, Gumowski, Huszár), although more difficult than books like Cayon & Castan, or Calicó, Calicó & Trigo.
Note: There is also the Roberts book (in English) -- "The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD) - 586pp.
Are the Duplessy catalogues illustrated with line drawings or photographs? Roughly what proportion of the listed coins are illustrated?
And thanks for reminding me about Robert's work on the silver coinage. I have come across it in the past but I had completely forgotten about it. Its very expensive but I think I may have found a way of getting a hold of a copy.
Quote: "cmaclean"...
Are the Duplessy catalogues illustrated with line drawings or photographs? Roughly what proportion of the listed coins are illustrated?
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The Royal volumes might be 80% line drawings, 20% photos. The Feudal volumes might be 98% line drawings, but there are plates with multiple images scattered around. The Royal volumes might average two coin descriptions per illustration, and the Feudal volumes seem to have a few to several coin descriptions per illustration.
Quote: "phfoticus"
The Royal volumes might be 80% line drawings, 20% photos. The Feudal volumes might be 98% line drawings, but there are plates with multiple images scattered around. The Royal volumes might average two coin descriptions per illustration, and the Feudal volumes seem to have a few to several coin descriptions per illustration.
Thanks for the info. I'll definitely be getting the two volumes on the royal coinage.
Thanks for the links on the feudal coinage. Previously I had been using Boudeau's 'Monnaies Francaises (Provinciales)' as my source. I'm sure its extensive but it isn't particularly well illustrated so your links are very helpful.
