Edwardian Sterlings
John the Blind, 1309-1346, Luxemburg
John the Blind (10 August 1296 - 26 August 1346) was the Count of Luxembourg from 1309 and King of Bohemia from 1310 and titular King of Poland. He was the eldest son of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII and his wife Margaret of Brabant. He is well known for having died while fighting in the Battle of Crécy at age 50, after having been blind for a decade.
Before he died in battle, he was reported to have said: "Let it never be the case that a Bohemian king runs [from a fight]!"
Raised in Paris, John was French by education, but deeply involved in the politics of Germany. In 1310 his father arranged the marriage of the 14-year-old with Elisabeth from the Přemyslid dynasty, sister of the deceased King Wenceslaus III of Bohemia. John campaigned in Bohemia and was elected king by deposition of Henry of Carinthia, he thereby became one of the seven prince-electors of the Holy Roman Empire and - in succession of Wenceslaus III - claimant to the Polish and Hungarian throne. His attempts to follow his father as King of the Romans failed with the election of Louis IV of Wittelsbach in 1314. He later would support Louis in his rivalry with Frederick the Fair of Habsburg, culminating in the 1322 Battle of Mühldorf and in return he received the Egerland as a reward.
Like his predecessor Henry, he was disliked by much of the Czech nobility. John was considered to be an "alien king" and soon gave up the administration of Bohemia and embarked on a life of travel, spending time in Luxembourg and the French court. His travels took him to Silesia, Poland, Lithuania, Tyrol, Northern Italy and Papal Avignon. A rival of King Władysław I the Elbow-high to the Polish crown, John supported the Teutonic Knights in the Polish-Teutonic War from 1326 to 1332. He also made several Silesian dukes swear an oath of allegiance to him. In 1335 in Congress of Visegrád, Władysław's successor King Casimir III the Great of Poland paid a significant amount of money in exchange for John's giving up his claim to the Polish throne.
John lost his eyesight at age 39 or 40 from ophthalmia in 1336, while crusading in Lithuania. A treatment by the famous physician Guy de Chauliac had no positive effects. At the outbreak of the Hundred Years' War in 1337 he allied with King Philip VI of France and even was governor of Languedoc from 30 November 1338 to November 1340. He was killed at age 50 in 1346, while fighting alongside the French against the English at the Battle of Crécy. The medieval chronicler Jean Froissart left the following account of John's last actions:
...for all that he was nigh blind, when he understood the order of the battle, he said to them about him: 'Where is the lord Charles my son?' His men said: 'Sir, we cannot tell; we think he be fighting.' Then he said: 'Sirs, ye are my men, my companions and friends in this journey: I require you bring me so far forward, that I may strike one stroke with my sword.' They said they would do his commandment, and to the intent that they should not lose him in the press, they tied all their reins of their bridles each to other and set the king before to accomplish his desire, and so they went on their enemies. The lord Charles of Bohemia his son, who wrote himself king of Almaine and bare the arms, he came in good order to the battle; but when he saw that the matter went awry on their party, he departed, I cannot tell you which way. The king his father was so far forward that he strake a stroke with his sword, yea and more than four, and fought valiantly and so did his company; and they adventured themselves so forward, that they were there all slain, and the next day they were found in the place about the king, and all their horses tied each to other.
After the battle, legend states that John's personal crest (a pair of black wings) and motto Ich dien ("I Serve") were adopted in slightly modified form by Edward, the Black Prince, and since then they have been part of the badge of the Prince of Wales.
John was succeeded as King of Bohemia by his eldest son Charles (later Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor). In Luxembourg, he was succeeded by his son by his second wife, Wenceslaus.
Source and more info: Wikipedia
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1309, Mayhew 257
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1309 |
| Weight: | 1,32 gr |
| Diameter: | 19 mm |
| Rarity: | R2 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 257 |
| Catalogue #: | 0081 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +⋮IOhAnNЄ S⋮DЄI⋮GRˉA |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | RЄX BOˉЄ ЄTP OŁ |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1309-35, Mayhew 259
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1309-35 |
| Weight: | 1,22 gr |
| Diameter: | 19x20 mm |
| Rarity: | R1 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 259, UKDFD Ref. No. - 52098 |
| Catalogue #: | 0250 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +IOhΛNnЄS:DЄI:GRΛ' |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | RЄN BOˉЄ ЄTP OŁˉO |
| Extra info: | Die sinking error, should read RЄX not RЄN. |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1309-35, Mayhew 260
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1309-35 |
| Weight: | 1,11 gr |
| Diameter: | 18 mm |
| Rarity: | R2 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 260 |
| Catalogue #: | 0072 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +IOhΛNnЄSDЄIGRΛ' |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | RЄX BOˉЄ ЄTP OŁˉO |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1309-35, Mayhew 262
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1309-35 |
| Weight: | 1,03 gr |
| Diameter: | 16x18 mm |
| Rarity: | R4 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 262 |
| Catalogue #: | 0060 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +IOhΛИnЄSDЄIGRΛ |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | RЄX BOЄ ЄTP OLO |
| Extra info: | A mule of Mayhew 260 (obverse) and Mayhew 261 (reverse). There are 2 coins known, this is the 3rd. |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1309-35, Mayhew 263a-c
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1309-35 |
| Weight: | 1,30 gr |
| Diameter: | 18 mm |
| Rarity: | R2 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 263a-c, Weiller 42ac |
| Catalogue #: | 0068 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄBWEMЄTPOLONIЄREX |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | IOh' ИЄSD ЄYG RΛC |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1309-35, Mayhew 263d
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1309-35 |
| Weight: | 1,30 gr |
| Diameter: | 18 mm |
| Rarity: | R2 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 263d, Weiller 42aa |
| Catalogue #: | 0026 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄBWEMЄTPOLONIЄREX |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | IOh' ИЄSD ЄIG RΛC |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1320-30, Mayhew 265a-l
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1320-30 |
| Weight: | 0,84 gr |
| Diameter: | 17x18 mm |
| Rarity: | S |
| Reference: | Mayhew 265a-l |
| Catalogue #: | 0041 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄIWΛnESDNSƵREXB |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | LVC ЄNB GEN SIS |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1320-30, Mayhew 265a-l
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1320-30 |
| Weight: | 0,96 gr |
| Diameter: | 15x19 mm |
| Rarity: | S |
| Reference: | Mayhew 265a-l |
| Catalogue #: | 0027 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄIWΛnESDNSƵREXB |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | LVC ЄNB GEN SIS |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1320-30, Mayhew 265m-t
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1320-30 |
| Weight: | 0,93 gr |
| Diameter: | 17x19 mm |
| Rarity: | S |
| Reference: | Mayhew 265m-t, Weiller 46ab |
| Catalogue #: | 0028 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄIWΛnESDNSƵREXB |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | LOC ЄNB GEN SIS |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1320-30, Mayhew 266var
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1320-30 |
| Weight: | 0,98 gr |
| Diameter: | 18x19 mm |
| Rarity: | R4 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 266var |
| Catalogue #: | 0186 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄIWΛnESDNSƵREX•B• |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | VILЄ LVCЄ MBV GЄN |
| Extra info: | This variaty is not mentioned in Mayhew. It has the obverse of Mayhew 265x and the reverse of 267f. General types of 266 have the obverse of 265 and reverse of 267f. |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1320-30, Mayhew 267
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1320-30 |
| Weight: | 0,98 gr |
| Diameter: | 17x18 mm |
| Rarity: | R2 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 267 |
| Catalogue #: | 0029 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄDIWΛnNESREX•B•' |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | VILΛ LVC ЄN•B VRG |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1320-30, Mayhew 267de
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1320-30 |
| Weight: | 1,01 gr |
| Diameter: | 18 mm |
| Rarity: | R2 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 267de |
| Catalogue #: | 0061 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄDIWANESREX•B•' |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | VILΛ LVC ЄN•B VRG |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1320-30, Mayhew 268e
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1320-30 |
| Weight: | 0,96 gr |
| Diameter: | 16x17 mm |
| Rarity: | R4 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 268e |
| Catalogue #: | 0305 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄDIWAnNЄSREX•B• |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | MON ЄTΛ LVCE MB'G |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1320-30, Mayhew 269bc
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1320-30 |
| Weight: | 1,01 gr |
| Diameter: | 18x19 mm |
| Rarity: | R2 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 269bc |
| Catalogue #: | 0193 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄDIWΛnNЄSREX•B• |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | LOS SEn BOR GES |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Luxembourg, ca. 1344-46, Mayhew 274
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Luxembourg |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1344-46 |
| Weight: | 0,87 gr |
| Diameter: | 18 mm |
| Rarity: | R3 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 274 |
| Catalogue #: | 0185 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄDWΛnES•DS•REGISYB |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | COM ESL VCEB VOR |
| Extra info: | Florin type, copying English issue after 1344. |
Sterling, John the Blind, Meraude, ca. 1320, Mayhew 277
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Meraude (or Poilvache) |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1320 |
| Weight: | 1,23 gr |
| Diameter: | 17x18 mm |
| Rarity: | R3 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 277 |
| Catalogue #: | 0082 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +IOhΛESDЄIGRΛREXB |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | MOn ETΛ MER ΛVD |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Damvillers, ca. 1309-35, Mayhew 282
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Damvillers |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1309-35 |
| Weight: | 0,91 gr |
| Diameter: | 16x17 mm |
| Rarity: | R3 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 282 |
| Catalogue #: | 0181 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄBOЄMIЄRЄXPOLAnIЄ |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | Mon ЄTA DˉЄV ILЄR |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Damvillers, ca. 1335-46, Mayhew 284
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Damvillers |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1335-46 |
| Weight: | 1,09 gr |
| Diameter: | 18x19 mm |
| Rarity: | S |
| Reference: | Mayhew 284, Weiller 91mi |
| Catalogue #: | 0030 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄIWΛnЄS•RЄX•BOhИI |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | DЄN VIL ЄRN ƧIƧ |
| Extra info: | |
Sterling, John the Blind, Damvillers, ca. 1335-46, Mayhew 284
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Sterling |
| Mint: | Damvillers |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1335-46 |
| Weight: | 0,81 gr |
| Diameter: | 14x19 mm |
| Rarity: | S |
| Reference: | Mayhew 284, Weiller 91ec |
| Catalogue #: | 0065 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄIW[ΛnЄS•]RЄX•BOhIИ |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | DЄИ [VIL ЄRN] SIS |
| Extra info: | |
Halfpenny, John the Blind, Marche-en-Famenne, ca. 1344-46, Mayhew 288
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Halfpenny |
| Mint: | Marche-en-Famenne |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1344-46 |
| Weight: | 0,52 gr |
| Diameter: | 15 mm |
| Rarity: | R4 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 288 |
| Catalogue #: | 0154 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄDWΛRDЄnSISRЄX |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | MOn ETΛ MΛR CES |
| Extra info: | Probably coming from the Hull dock hoard. Provenance: Ex Robert Sayre Collection / Ex Heritage Auctions #458 Lot 51624 06-07/01/08, Ex Aurea Numismatika auction 50 Lot 535 25/05/2013. |
Halfpenny, John the Blind, Marche-en-Famenne, ca. 1344-46, Mayhew 288
| Reign/Issue Authority: | John the Blind |
| Denomination/Type: | Halfpenny |
| Mint: | Marche-en-Famenne |
| Issue date: | Ca. 1344-46 |
| Weight: | 0,37 gr |
| Diameter: | 14x15 mm |
| Rarity: | R4 |
| Reference: | Mayhew 288 |
| Catalogue #: | 0273 |
| Obverse description: | Crowned bust facing. |
| Obverse legend: | +ЄDWΛRDЄnSISRЄX |
| Reverse description: | Long cross pattee with three pellets in each angle. |
| Reverse legend: | MOn ETΛ MΛR CES |
| Extra info: | Probably coming from the Hull dock hoard. |
