French Medieval Gilt Pilgrim's Gros Tournois Coin Badge. 14th century A.D. A gilt silver pilgrim's badge formed from a gros tournois French coin of Philip IV period with gilt obverse bearing a small cross with 'PHILIPPVS REX and BENEDICTV SIT NOMEN DNI NRI DEI N V XPI' legends and reverse depicting a stylised chapel with 'TOURNOIS CIVIS' legend and fitted with a pin stub for wearing. See Roberts, J.N., The Silver Coins of France (476-1610 A.D.), USA, 1996, nos.2461-2465, for this coin type. 3.95 grams, 26 mm. (1 in.) Private collection of Mr M.H., Norfolk, UK, before 2001. Accompanied by a copy of the Portable Antiquities Scheme report number SF101. The practice of gilding coins and using them as badges or brooches, usually to display the cross which is a common design feature of medieval coins, began in the Saxon period and, with the increase in places of pilgrimage and large numbers of pilgrims in the medieval period, became widespread utilising both English and European silver coins; such pieces would have been for wealthier pilgrims. [No Reserve]

Fine condition.