In English a reckoning counter. Also Jeton (French) & Rechen-pfenning (German). A coin-like object used in the calculation of accounts. Most commonly made of copper or brass; but also silver (especially 17th century and after: very rarely gold. Lead jettons are also known but their purpose is obscure as they would wear out fast. Jettons are known from England, France, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Spain & probably other countries. Originally "jettons" would have been pebbles or pieces of pottery (the word calculate derives from Calx - pebble). The first specially struck jettons seem to be mid 13th century (French), the earliest English third quarter 13th century.

Jetons: Their Use and History - Great web site detailing how they were used

Ref books used - Michael Mitchiner Jetons Volumes

Mint condition 1340 AD French Jetton

Crown introduced in 1340 by Philip VI (1328-50)

Royal Crown with 3 rosettes across body of crown

Rev Triple banded straight cross fleuretty AV

1562 AD Hans Krauwinckel I Master German Lion of St Mark Jetton, 19.27g, 30.02mm

Lion of St Mark standing left with both wings shown. Book of the Gospels between fore- paws.Halo, rising into the margin, is surrounded by a star:

Obv *S*MARCVS * EVANGELLIST*GOTT***

Rev Imperial Orb surrounded by cross patty witin an ornate tressure *HANNS * KRVRENBER

The normal weight for this type is 7.95g to 11.30 g, this specimin weights 19.27g ???? It is acually two of the same type of Jettons stuck together

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

French Jetton

French copper- alloy Jeton 1380AD Obv Shield of France bearing three feur de lys

Rev trefoil x 4 Ottery St Mary (r)

ID'd by Hendrik

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

15thC 'Shield of France' Jetton

Obv X AVE MARIA o GRACIA

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

Crown introduced in 1340 by Philip VI (1328-50)

Royal Crown with 3 rosettes across body of crown

Rev Triple banded straight cross fleuretty AV

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jetton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

1371-1379 Duchy of Guelders - Mathide de Gueldre

Rev Double standard arcuate cross fleuretty with a rampant lion (single tail) in each qtr

The Standing King series

Charles IV 1322-28 French Jetton

Obv 'king with sceptre standing beneath a gothic canopy'

Type 404 Mitchiner

Rev Triple stranded straight cross fleuretty in 4 arched tressure

Stock Jetton for the Queen and her almony 14th to15th C

Emblem of Queen marguerite de Provence, wife of Louis IX

Moor's head right with hair bound

Obv X AVE MARIA GRACIA PLNA

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

1371-1379 Duchy of Guelders jetton

Rampant Lion with a tall erect two forked tail was first introduced as the emblem of Limburg

Rev Rampant Lion with a tall erect two forked tail of Limburg- all in 6 arched tressure -margin M repeated

Rev Double stranded arcuate cross fleuretty with rampant lion (single tail) in each angle:margins crowns

French copper- alloy Jeton 1380AD Obv Shield of France bearing three feur de lys

Rev trefoil x 4 Ottery St Mary

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jetton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jetton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jetton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

circa 1447 Charles VII Jetton with IHS

Letters IHS in gothic script acorss field with upright stroke of H crossed

AVE IIIARI STEELA DEI IIIATER

Rev Double stranded arcuate cross fleuretty with pellet at centre

1346-80 Charles V Shield of France ancient type jetton

Obv + AVE MARIA GRACIA PLE

Rev Double stranded arcuate cross fleuretty with lis at centre

Very unusual Jetton as this purports to be a 16thC Mercury bust Jetton of one of the Kravwinckel or Lauffer families, howvever it only has a series of flowers as a legend both sides ??

Not listed in Mitchener

French copper- alloy Jetton 1380AD Obv Shield of France bearing three fleur de lys

Rev trefoil x 4 Ottery St Mary

Interesting unrecorded 1422 shield of France type Jetton not in Mitchener

3 Lis in a shield with what appears to be snakes above and to sides of shield

Obv + AVE MARIA + GRACIA

Facinating medieval find - Looks like Jetton used as a type of mount or brooch.

Researching the books

Stunning English medieval jetton not in ref books

Appears to be the same period and design circa 1280 like the Lions of England type but this has a winged bird of prey on Obv

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jetton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

15thC French Chatel Tournois Jetton

Obv Traditional Chatel Tournois (Castle of Tours)

SIB IIOIIIEIII BOIII II I

Ref Mitchener 741

1340 AD French Jetton

Crown introduced in 1340 by Philip VI (1328-50)

Royal Crown with annulet and rosettes across body of crown

Obv AVE MARIA GRACIA

Rev A-V-E-M

Rev Triple banded straight cross fleuretty

Ref Mitchiner 469