Jettons

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

English Jettons

English jettons were first produced during the reign of Edward 1st. Many were struck from dies made using the same portrait punches as sterling pennies; implying striking by mint officials.

Jettons made in England always have a central punch mark on one face, which is thought to relate to centring the disc during flan production (Mernick and Algar in Saunders ed. 2001, 218); sometimes this has developed into a central piercing. Most, though not all, English jettons are anepigraphic, that is, they lack a legend; sometimes examples that carry legends are nonsensical.

The major works on English jettons are Berry (1974) and by Mernick and Algar (in Saunders ed. 2001); between them they divide the English series into five main groups based on the module, and a further number of types based on design. An online resource which includes an up-to-date catalogue is curated by Philip Mernick.

In the past many English jettons were termed ‘Anglo-Gallic’ (e.g. by Barnard 1916), but this was before their relationship to coins struck at the Tower mint was established; only a few jettons can now legitimately be called Anglo-Gallic.

The first group, consisting of the so-called ‘sterling’ and allied issues, represents by far the most common type of English jetton. As noted, these are of similar size to contemporary pennies, but in copper alloy rather than silver, and bear either the same busts (Berry Type 1), or a multitude of other designs (Berry Types 2-20).

A second group of English jettons are thought to be contemporary with the earliest of the sterling series, but are larger, at c. 25-27mm in diameter. Their size might relate to the short-lived groat of Edward I (issued 1279-1281). They might have been used as ‘wardrobe counters’ relating to the king’s personal expenditure (Mernick and Algar in Saunders ed. 2001, 222). Examples often feature a long cross on the reverse with stars and crescents in alternating quarters. As with groats of Edward I, these large early English jettons were often converted into jewellery items, by the addition of a riveted clip (Bliss 2017; these needs to be recorded under the appropriate Object Type term); it was normally the cross on the reverse which was displayed.

A third group of English jettons are of a later date. Their size, bigger than the broadly penny-sized sterling and allied issues, can be related to the coin denominations issued for Edward III in the 1340s, specifically his halfgroat. The most common reverses in this group are the Standing King and Seated King. A fourth group are generally even larger and are thought to be wardrobe counters of the second half of the 14th century. A final group consists of contemporary copies of jettons (Mernick and Algar in Saunders ed. 2001, 224).

1302-07 Edward 1st copper jetton Class X

Ob Bust accosted by stars:border 'x'and stars

Rev Long cross patonce, star in each angle, border crown in each segment

Ref Mitch1ner 97

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

Rare English jetton, 1345/55 Late pictorial issues of the mid century : This type with the obverse as a rose is not in Mitchiner but could be a mule with Mitchiner 186

Obv Barbed rose 5 petals, border fictitious legend

Rev Long cross patonace , 6 pellet clusters in each angle, border pellets

Ref Mitchiner 245

1296-97 Edward 1st Jetton Class 11 to 15

Obv Hexagon containing rose (5 petals) border, pellets

Rev Short cross Moline , pellet in each angle:border pellets

Ref Mitchiner 230

English medieval Edward jetton

1689- 94 William and Mary type jetton

Kings' diademed bust right

Obv WILLH.IIID.G.ANG.SCO.FR.ET.HI.REX

Rev Queens head diademed bust right

Ref Mitchiner 1804

English Medieval Jeton with pictorial obverses:

Obv Shield bearing lion rampant right 2 pellets on left, 2 annulets right:border, strokes and annulets

Rev Triple stranded cross fleury,with star and crescent in each angle:3 -pellet cluster in each segment

This Jeton is fitted with a clasp, enabling it to be used as a brooch displaying the 'star and crescent' emblems

Ref Mitchener 169a Appendix two

German Jettons

Germany: Although it might seem that Nuremberg was the only German city to strike jettons, this is far from the case. Although they are not commonly seen in Britain, jettons may be found from Prussia, Saxony, Bohemia etc. and there is an extensive series from Hanover. These were issued by the mint-masters in Clausthal and Zellerfeld, and those struck during the 18th century have the same names or initials as appear on the Anglo- Hanoverian coins.

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

1515 -59 Iorg Schultes Master, German Lion of St Mark Jetton, Lions halo projects above inner circle and interrupt legend

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:

Rev Large Orb no initial mark, 3 pairs of annulets outside tressure

Ref Mitchiner 1113

1553- 86 AD Hans Schultes I ‘Lion of St Mark’ Jetton

obv Lion of St mark standing left, nimbate and winged, holding book of the Gospels in right fore paw: Lions halo orjecting into the margin and surmounted by a cross

+ SANT:MARGVS:NORPED

Rev Imperial orb surmouned by cross patty

HANS rosette SCHVTLTES rosette NORNBE

Ref Mitchiner 1382

c1490-1500 the 'ship-penny'jettons

Obv Profile of a sailing ship

VOLGVE LA GALI DE OD BLA

Rev Four fleur de lis in a lozenge

Ref Mitchiner 1142

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

1601 Wolf Laffer Rose Orb jetton

Obv Three crowns and 3 Lis centrifugally around central rose

Rev Imperial orb

Johan Conrad Hergen, master 1705 French style jetton 1705 -1743

Kings diademed bust right

LVD.XV.D.G.FR.N.RE

Tranquillity seated left, Crown on right knee in exergue I.C.H

LE.REPROS.SUIT.LA.VICTOIRE

1490- 1550 'Ship -penny' Jetton anonymous issues

French Jettons

France: the earliest French jettons are claimed to be from the reign of Louis VIII (1218-1252) ; but this is based on royal coats of arms shown on some early pieces. There is a great variety of types, all copper or brass until mid/late 15th century when silver was also used. Silver jettons are very rare at first, but very common by the end of the 17th century; by which time their original function had virtually ceased. Almost all were struck at the Paris mint; their right to strike jettons being very jealously guarded. Very similar pieces were still being struck late into the 19th century.

Certain jettons made in France are contemporary with those made in England in the second half of the 14th century, and only a very few date earlier. It is important to note that certain designs – such as the Standing King and Seated King – are seen on both French and English issues as they share the same coin designs as prototypes. The French jettons can be distinguished from English ones in two ways: the flan will not have a central punch and many feature a legend.

A main feature to look for on French jettons is an elaborate, but generally neat, reverse cross. These crosses are generally have multiple strands and their arms terminate in lis. The most common is a triple-stranded straight cross within a double quadrilobe border; less common is a double-stranded arcuate cross (i.e. with incurved sides), with other minor varieties also encountered.

Note that many of the earlier types within the French series are of smaller size and bear an arcuate cross on their reverse. The classification of French jettons is based on their obverse designs; designs from this early period include the ‘Moor’s head’ type, and small module examples of the ‘Crown’ and ‘Chatel Tournois’ types. The main series is dominated by obverse designs such as a larger module ‘Crown’ type and the ‘France Modern’ type, depicting a shield with three lis; the ‘France Ancient’ type has more than three lis. The predominant legend is the Hail Mary, ‘AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA’, often with the final word abbreviated.

The second group consists of relatively neat jettons with a reverse design of a cross potent with flowers in each angle. They often have a legend based on ‘SIT NOMEN DOMINI’ (from ‘Sit nomen Domini benedictum’ – ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord’), with the Ns often unbarred. Obverse types include angular shields, three circles (of Tournai) and monograms (Mernick and Algar in Saunders ed. 2001, 257; fig. 85). This group tends to be dated c. 1475-1525.

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

As new Jetton found in pond silt. Never seen a medeival coin in this brand new shape.

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

Royal Crown with 2 annulet and rosette across body of crown

Rev Triple banded straight cross fleuretty AV

Obv *AVE MARIA* GRACIA*PIH

Louis XII (1497-1515)French Jetton

Rev Simple cross patty

Obv Three circles of Tournai

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

The Standing King series

Charles IV 1322-28 French Jetton

Obv 'king with sceptre standing beneath a gothic canopy'

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

The Standing King series

Charles IV 1322-28 French Jetton

Obv 'king with sceptre standing beneath a gothic canopy'

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 3 rosettes across body of crown

1340 AD French Jetton

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

Royal Crown

Rev Triple banded straight cross fleuretty AV

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

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

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

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

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

French 1497-1515 Tower shield of Tournai jetton

Ref 724 Mitchener

1371-1379 Duchy of Guelders - Mathide de Gueldre

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

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

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

The Standing King series

Charles IV 1322-28 French Jetton

Obv 'king with sceptre standing beneath a gothic canopy'

15thC French jetton - leafty ornaments around a central cross

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

13thC French jetton

1340 AD French Jetton

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

Royal Crown with 3 rosettes across body of crown

Rev Double banded straight cross fleuretty AV

The Standing King series

Charles IV 1322-28 French Jetton

Obv 'king with sceptre standing beneath a gothic canopy'

French 'shield of France' type - 3 Lis in a shield and '4 Lis in a quadrant'

German Rose Orb Jettons

Mint mudlark find

Four different Krauwinckel makers made “rose and orb” type jettons, including brothers Damianus and Hans (I) Krauwinckel, and Egidius and Hanns (II) Krauwinckel who were the sons of Damianus.

Hans Krauwinckel (1562-1586)

Hans Krauwinckel II (1586-1635)

Hans Lauffer (1611-1632)

Hans Schultes

The reverse side of the “rose and orb” jettons depicts an imperial orb within a trilobe. The surrounding letters are often various verses from the Bible. Inscribed GOTES SEGEN MACHT REICH (“God’s blessing brings riches”).

GETRIVW HANDT KOMBT DURCH ALLE (“Truth succeeds over all”)

GLUCK BESCHERT IST VNGEWERT (“Fortune given is not guaranteed”)

GOTES REICH BLIBT EWICK (“God’s Kingdom remains eternal”)

GOTT ALLEIN DIE EERE SEI (“To God alone the glory”)

HEIT ROTT MORGEN DOTT (“Red today, dead tomorrow”)

VERBVM DOMINI MANET IN ETERN (“The Word of God remains eternal”)

Mint condition pond silt find - 1500-1550 'Normal orb' German jetton with crown initial mark

Annonymous issue

Pond silt find

Smallest Jetton I have ever seen, it is like a 1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jetton - not in ref books

0.54g, 14.22mm

Interesting 16thC jetton

Unknown Jetton ?

14thC Cross moline type ?