Authentic Medieval French Coin
Hand Set in Your Choice of Sterling Silver or Solid Gold
Silver Denier of Béarn, France
Struck c. 1080–1250 AD

Obverse: Cross with pellets in the upper quarters, surrounded by the inscription CENTVLLO COM' (Centule, Count).

Reverse: The letters PA✠ arranged around a triangular design, surrounded by the inscription PAX ✠ ONOR FORCAS (Peace and the Right to Gallows).

Mint: Morlaàs, Lordship of Béarn, southwestern France
Composition: Billon (silver alloy)
Diameter: 18 mm
Weight: 0.96 g

This remarkable little coin was struck in the medieval Lordship of Béarn, a territory in the foothills of the Pyrenees, between France and Spain. Its design originated under the counts of Béarn in the late 11th century and continued to be produced for generations afterward. Although the coin bears the name of Count Centule, it cannot necessarily be attributed to his lifetime. Medieval rulers frequently continued striking coins in the names of their predecessors, particularly when a design had become familiar and trusted in commerce.

What makes this coin especially interesting is its unusual inscription. The reverse bears the words PAX and ONOR FORCAS, referring to peace and the right to erect gallows. In medieval Béarn, the gallows were more than an instrument of punishment. They were a visible symbol of the lord's authority to administer justice, including the power to impose the most severe penalties. The inscription therefore connects two ideas that were closely related in medieval society: the maintenance of public order and the sovereign's power to enforce it. It is a striking message to find on a coin that would have passed through countless hands in everyday transactions.

The coin was struck by hand, using engraved dies and a hammer, long before the introduction of modern minting machinery. Its irregular lettering, compact design, and darkened silver surfaces give it a distinctive medieval character. At just 18 millimeters across, it is a particularly appealing piece of history to wear, with a story that extends far beyond its modest size.

The Setting

This pendant is made to order and can be set in sterling silver or solid 14k. Each setting is individually handmade to fit the exact contours of the coin, securing it without adhesives while leaving both historical faces visible. The third and fourth image show a similar coin set in a sterling silver setting. 

The finished pendant comes in a Peregrine Pendants jewelry box, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity with historical notes about the exact coin. A sterling silver chain is included, with gold chain options available separately.

Please allow approximately three weeks for the setting to be completed.