World Silver France - 1106-1150 Denier, Abbey of St. Martial PCGS XF45

Attractive, richly toned and rare piece from Medieval France. Abbey of St. Martial, Limoges Mint. Struck from billion. Obverse: Bearded portrait of St. Martial in an inner circle, legend around in Latin: SES • MARCIAL. Translation: Saint Martial. Reverse: Cross with 4 pairs of dots within an inner circle, legend around in Latin: ✠ LEMOVICENSIS. Translation: [Denier] of Limoges. PCGS has graded one as XF45 with none finer. Roberts-4912.

No accurate information exists as to the origin, dates of birth and death, or the acts of Bishop Martial. According to Gregory of Tours, during the period of the Emperor Decius, Pope Fabian sent out seven bishops from Rome to Gaul (modern day France) to preach the Gospel. Among them was Bishop Martial who was sent to Limoges. He was successful in converting the citizenry to Christianity, and since then his memory has always been venerated there.

Saint Martial receives the pastoral staff from Saint Peter, in a fresco in the Palais des Papes, Avignon, France. Image: Wikimedia Commons.