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Gold Chaise

On the gold chaise, the Black Prince appears on the obverse sitting in a Gothic chair, or throne, with a scepter in his right hand. On the reverse is a cross within a compartment of four roses and four angles. It has two lions ("leopards") and two fleurs de-lis in the quarters. [4] On the obverse is inscribed "ED PO GNS REGIS ANGLIE PNS AQUITANIE" ("Eduardus Primo Genitus Regis Angliae Princeps Aquitaniae" - "Edward first born to the King of England Prince of Aquitaine".) On the reverse - "DEUS JUDEX JUSTUS FORTIS PACIENS" - "God the just, powerful,patient judge." [5] From this inscription De Boze calls it a Juste, or Fort.

This coin weighed 54 grains Troy and was made at .995 "fine gold". A few examples are known - John Laskey mentions one in 1813 as residing in the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow - though he thinks this coin unique. [6] Snelling (1762) however mentions five - one in the King of France's cabinet; one of Mr. Hollis, formerly of Thomas Grainger, both weighing 54 grains; one of Sir Charles's; one in the Duke of Devonshire's collection and one in that of the Earl of Pembroke. [4]

The Black Prince was not the only one to mint such a coin: Other 14th century gold chaise coins are mentioned as coming from Belgium, under the reign of Louis de Male (1346-1384).

Gold Hardy

On the hardy, the Black Prince is in his robes to his waist, with his sword in his right hand, within a compartment. On the reverse is a cross with the lions and fleurs-de-lis. It is inscribed on the obverse as the last, with the Prince's name and title; but on the reverse, AUXILIUM MEUM A DOMINO B. [4] That in the King of France's cabinet weighs 75 French grains, or about 61 grains Troy; the Duke of Devonshire's 60, or that of the half noble. Hautin, p. cxxxiii. has one a little different, he being crowned. His robes are open so as to show his armour, and it has only AQT instead of AQUITANIE. [4] This coin also was minted at 995 fine gold. [5]

Snelling (1762) lists two known examples of these coins - one in De Boze and one belonging to the Duke of Devonshire. [4]

Gold Guiennois

The gold guiennois is described by [4] as being exactly like that of his father. On the obverse, the Black Prince stands under a gothic pavillon / portico / canopy (a known French style), fully armed, with sword raised and shield decorated with the arms of England and France. On the reverse, a foliate cross. The inscriptions are in elegant Lombardic lettering - on the obverse ED P GNS REGIS ANGLIE PINCPS AQUITANIE; and on the reverse, GLIA IN EXCELSIS DEO ET IN TER PAX HOMINIB - ("Glory to God in the highest and on Earth, peace among men.") [4] [5]

This is a striking, unusual coin. Snelling (1762) lists two known examples - one in De Boze and one belonging to Sir Charles. [4] More have evidently been discovered - four of these coins are now presented by the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. [7]

Gold Leopard

The gold leopard of Edward the Black Prince, also, is like that of his father. On the obverse, a lion or leopard, passant-guardant; crowned and within a compartment of arabesques, and the legend ED PMO GNS REGIS ANGLIE PNCEPS AQUITANIE. On the reverse a cross, whose ends terminate in acorns with leaves, within a rose or compartment of four arches and four angles. The reverse legend is the same as his father's - XPC VINCIT XPC REGNAT XPE IMPERAT. ("Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands.") [4] [5]

Snelling (1762) lists two known examples - one in De Boze and one belonging to Sir Charles. [4]

Gold Pavillon

The pavillon depicts Edward the Black Prince standing in his robes under a spacious portico or pavillon, with his sword erect as usual, and has two ostrich feathers on each side of him. The obverse inscription reads as that of the Chaise - ED PO GNS REG ANGL PNPS AQUI; short for "Eduardus Primo Genitus Regis Angliae Princeps Aquitaniae" ("Edward first born to the King of England Prince of Aquitaine".)

On the reverse is a cross formed of leaved acorns, inclosed within a sort of curved lozenge, out of the middle of the four sides of which issue the four angles of a square. The reverse legend reads DNS AIUTO PTECO ME IIPO SPAVIT COR MEUM B; that is, Dominus adjutor protector meus, in eo speravit cor meum - "The Lord is my helper and protector, in him I have prostrated my heart." [4] [5]

A spectacular example of the gold pavillon is found in the British Museum. [8] Snelling (1762) mentions five: One in the King's cabinet, formerly Dr. Andrew Gifford's; that of the Duke of Devonshire, weighing 69 gr. Troy; one in the Pembroke collection; one in De Boze [presumably the Cabinet des médailles et antiques, of which Claude Gros de Boze was curator from 1719-1753 [9] , or a personal collection?], named by him a Double, about 73 gr. Troy; and that of Thomas Knight, Esq; of Godmersham, near Canterbury, formerly possessed by Bryan Fairfax, Esq; 83 gr. Troy.

Snelling (1762) notes how the weights of these coins differ far than any of the Aquitanian gold coins. [4]