Coin of Pedro "the Cruel"
Type:
Coins
Date:
1350 to 1369
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
Spain
Medium:
Gold
Dimensions:
2.7 cm; 4.5 g
Description:
Pedro I was king of Castile and Léon from 1350 to 1368, a turbulent period of civil war following the Black Death. Pedro employed a Jewish treasurer, Samuel Halevi, and forged strategic alliances with the English, the Nasrids in Granada, and the Marinids in North Africa, mostly against other Castilians allied with the French. His epithet "the Cruel" was applied by his successors, who established a new dynasty (the Trastámara), but he was already criticized during his lifetime for his non-Christian alliances and many personal acts of violence. His supporters, however, called him Pedro "the Just."
On this gold dobla coin, Pedro is shown in profile, robed and crowned. He is surrounded by cusped arches and a Latin inscription: "God is my helper and I will scorn my enemies." The text on the reverse says "Petrus [Pedro], by the grace of God king of Castile and Leon." Inside this encircling text, the three-tower castle that represents Castile is paired with the lion of Léon. Earlier dobla in Christian Spain had heraldic devices on both sides, with no ruler image. This coin was likely minted in Seville, where Pedro often lived (the court was itinerant) and was later buried. Analysis of his bones in 2016 revealed that he was very well fed and in good health before his assassination at age 35.
On this gold dobla coin, Pedro is shown in profile, robed and crowned. He is surrounded by cusped arches and a Latin inscription: "God is my helper and I will scorn my enemies." The text on the reverse says "Petrus [Pedro], by the grace of God king of Castile and Leon." Inside this encircling text, the three-tower castle that represents Castile is paired with the lion of Léon. Earlier dobla in Christian Spain had heraldic devices on both sides, with no ruler image. This coin was likely minted in Seville, where Pedro often lived (the court was itinerant) and was later buried. Analysis of his bones in 2016 revealed that he was very well fed and in good health before his assassination at age 35.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
10
Repository and Online Resources:
• The coin is in the British Museum, London (acc. no. 1893,1003.2)
Image Credits:
© The Trustees of the British Museum
Tags:
Christian,
Western European,
Status and identity,
Coins,
Heraldry,
Latin
