Richard I Count of Pitou Penny
Obverse: Reads RICARDVS REX around Cross pattee
Reverse: The legend PIC/TAVIE/NSIS in 3 lines indicating that this coin was struck in Pitou, France
History: Richard I, known also as Richard the Lionheart (Richard Cœur de Lion), became Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitou in 1172, but was later forced to surrender Aquitaine to his mother, Eleanor. Richard became King of England in 1189, but spent little of his reign in England, because he was either on crusade or held prisoner. He was killed at the siege of Chalus in France in 1199.
The only coins bearing Richard’s name were minted in western France at Aquitaine, and Poitou. All of the coins minted in England during Richard's reign are of a design introduced by his father and carry the name HENRICVS.
Date: 1172-1185, Melle (Poitou) mint
