First Coinage Period of Kings Catherine and John of Navarre (1487-1495)

If we look at the coinage of Kings Catherine and John, we must mention that we will talk about the last coinage productions of a united and sovereign Kingdom of Navarre. The coinage in this period is a diverse, rich and extensive one, which took place between 1487 and 1512.

Although the reign of these kings took place between 1483 and 1517, the coins in the Kingdom of Navarre were still minted under the name of Francisco Febo (Francis Phoebus) until 1487.

From 1512 onwards, after the painful episode of the forcible removal of the kingdom, no more coins were minted in Navarre under the names of Catherine and John. The coinage of these kings has two distinct periods, the first between 1487 and 1495 and the second between 1495 and 1512.

We have a wealth of information about this first period, as detailed coinage accounts have survived till our days. The coinage accounts kept in the Chamber of Accounts (Camara de Comptos) provide us with data on the types, laws, names, appearances and amounts of coins minted. Regarding the second period, we have less information. Although we know the types, laws, names and appearances of coins minted, we have not received complete coinage accounts (coinage accounts between 1495 and 1506 are missing) and, consequently, we do not know the total numbers of the different coins minted.

Today we will focus in the first period, in which we have complete knowledge of the specifics and quantities of the specimens produced. As mentioned, this is thanks to the documents preserved in the comptos or account chambers.

As seen in the previous entry corresponding to Francis Phoebus, we will begin today's episode by looking at one of the coins produced in Bearn. This one has historically been called a blanc, and shows the crown of Catherine, as Queen of Navarre, above the Bearnaise coat of arms. The Bearnaise coins were made in the name of Queen Catherine exclusively, without any mention of her husband John. The Navarrese coins show the names of both couple partners.

Silver blanc/quoarder minted at the Morlaas mint in the name of Catherine (1483-1517) Lady of Bearn – 2.24 gr, 23.5mm diameter

Obverse: KTHERINA*DEI*G*DNA*BEARN

Reverse: PAX*ET*HONOR*FORQVIE*MORLA

CGB.FR, INTERNET AUCTION JANUARY 2023, LOT 801806 24.01.2023

The coinage of this first Navarrese period began on March 13, 1487. As in the previous reign, we know the exact details of these coins thanks to the coinage accounts written by the coinage guardian (guarda/garde) Pedro Marzilla de Caparroso.

These accounts have been preserved in two separate documents. The first, consisting of 20 handwritten pages, reflects the regulations, accounts and expenses between March 13th 1487 and the end of October, 1488. It is currently kept in the General Archive of Navarre, under document number 22 inside Box 164.

The second, consisting of 60 handwritten pages, reflects the accounts and expenses between November 1st 1488, and the end of 1493. It is currently kept in the General Archive of Navarre, under document number 23 inside Box 164.

The coronation of the royal couple took place on January 12th 1494, in the Cathedral of Santa María in Pamplona, and there is no evidence of any coinage being made during 1494. The second coinage period began in May 1495. All coinage during this reign was minted in the royal tower house  in Pamplona.

Catherine (1483-1517) Queen of Navarre

The first document (AGN 164. Box, Document 22) contains the accounts of the second minting supervised by the guard Pedro Marzilla (the first minting being composed by the coins minted under the name of previous king Francisco Febo, contained in AGN 164. Box, Document 21). These second accounts were handed over by Pedro Marzilla to the representatives of the Chamber of Accounts appointed by the king on 25th November 1488. The accounts provide us all the properties, quantities and variations of the coins minted between the beginning of March 1487 and the end of October 1488. During these twenty months, as well as the five years and two months that followed (Nov.1488-1493) reflected in the third coinage accounts, three different types of coins were minted: gold nabarros, billon cornados and billon half cornados.

„Compto segundo de Pedro Marzilla de Caparroso goarda dla moneda por los serenyssimos principes el rey don Johan et la Reyna dona Cathelina ntros senores la quoal dcha menta fue rendida antes de agora a Gracian de Ufaur et Martin dela Borda et Myguel despinal ensayador et Martin Cruzat general dela dcha moneda a los quatro q fueron comissarros por sus altezas pa receibir compto dela Recepta y espensa q el dcho Pedro abia admynystrado del xxxx et derecho del seynorage q a la senora ptenezca en el batimiento dla moneda q en la ciudat de pomp se abia batido despues del casamiento et matrimonio fecho entre sus altezas comenzando a XIII dias del mes de Marzo del ayno MCCCCLXXXVII ata el cargo dia de Otubre del ayno de LXXXVIII el quoal da compto magnera fuese Rendido port dcho Pedro a los sobre dichos comyssos en la ciudat de Pomp en el XXV dia de Noviembre del Ayno MCCCCLXXXVIII.

Et bien assi satisffecho e pagado ala senorra todo loque por el dcho Pedro hayga devydo delos derechos del seynorage pertenestienses ala dcha gra del batimiento dela dcha moneda q en los sobre dchos XX meses se fizo en la casa dela dcha moneda el dcho Pedro a mayor complimiento por objurar egoardar la hordenanza real escrita y pratica del dcho Regno torna a Render la dcha menta ante bosotros senores las gentes oydores delos comptos enla Cambra de los Comptos Reales el quoal dcho batimiento se fizo por mandameinto del Senor Gobernador el ilustre Sr de Labrit por sus altezas gobernador en este Regno dado apertura de los tres estados del Regno el thenor del quoal es en la forma q sigue "

As mentioned, these accounts provide us with very detailed information. First of all, they reveal the names and salaries of all the officers who worked on these coinages. They are the same people who worked on the coins of Francis Febo, and their salaries remained stable over the course of these twelve years.

• Martin d'Aoyz The first minting document of Queen Blanca dated in 1428 already mentions a merchant named Martin d'Aoyz and as seen, the same family remained involved in minting coins even throughout the 16th century. Belenguer d'Aoyz, his son, took over his father's position during 1491, the first mention of him being in July 1491.
• Pedro Marzilla de Caparroso, He was the guard of coinage in the royal tower and the general guard of the coinage struck in the entire kingdom of Navarre. His salary was twelve and a half pounds (livre) for each worked month and was paid from the revenues of the seigniorage.
• Miguel de Espinal, essayer. His monthly salary was seven and a half pounds and was paid from the revenues of the seigniorage. From July 1493, „Miguel d'Espinal el Jove, minor of age,"son of the previous, is quoted in the document.
• Martin Cruzat General of the coinage. His monthly salary was seven and a half pounds and was paid from the revenues of the seigniorage. His duties seem to have been related to controlling and supervising other senior officials.
• Pierres Pelayn a carver of piles (bottom die) and hammer (upper) dies. His monthly salary was five pounds and was paid from the revenues of the seigniorage.
• Peton de Sant Johan or Peton of Saint John, producer of steel piles and dies. He was paid 5 shillings (sous/sueldos) per pile and 2 and a half shillings per hammer die from the seigniorage revenues.

We have no document reflecting the agreement signed between Martin d'Aoyz and the kings, or rather between Alain of Albret, that is, the father of King John and the viceroy of Navarre; but the accounts of Pedro Marzilla provide us the details of the coinage law signed by Alain on the 1st of February 1487:

Alayn senor de Labrit conde de drevs e de Gaure bizconde de Tartas Captal de dux gobernador et Lugartenent gnral por los serenyssimos et ntros muy caros snores don Johan por la gra de dios Rey de nabarra duch de Nemours, de Gandia et Montblanc y de Peynafiel conde de foix senor de Bearn, conde de Begorra y de Ribagorza de Pentibre et de Peyregord, bizconde de Limoges, Senor de abernas et dla Ciudat de Balaguer, et dona Cathelina por la mesma gra Reyna Propetaria del dcho Regno Duquessa delos dchos ducados condesa y senora de los dchos condados et seynorios por los magnifficos et bien amados mtros Martin de Aoyz maestro mayor dla moneda goardas ensayadores y otros officiales de la dcha moneda, salut fazemos saber que…

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre, Subentry of AGN, Box 164, Document 22

por parte de los tres estados deste dcho Regno q juntados et congregados se fallan en cortes generals por mandado et llamamyento ntro en la ciudat de Pompl. nos ha seydo referido e dado de entender el grandisimo dayno q este dcho Regno y los bezinos e habitantes de aquel recibe por falta q no se falla moneda menuda nynguna emplazando nos xxx ntra fuesse mandar bater dla dcha moneda menuda como son cornados y medios cornados y alguna quantidat de oro por q la gente del dcho Regno fuesse Probeyda dela dcha moneda menuda pa en sus comercios et cosas necesssarias.

Nos ente oida sudicha peticion e avyda consulta et deliberacion conlas gentes del consejo e avida relacion de las cosas sobre dchas de personas q en la sobr dcha moneda sabe y senprende porquanto fallamos q es cosa mucho necesaria q la dcha menuda moneda y algun oro seaya de bater la quoal redunda en grande utilidad e provecho del dcho Regno queriendo sobr ello poner segunt cumple vos encargarvos y exemplicante ntra daros ayes defazer bater dela dcha moneda menuda de cornados y medios cornados. Los cornados a onze granos de ley con bun grano de Remedio y al mesmo respecto los medios cornados y el oro pratgna quantidat bos sestiere se deba bater a la ley de beyntedos quirate y medio por q el dcho Regno y los bezinos y habitantes de aqul puedan ser proveidos dela dcha moneda menuda y oro corryendo todo en ello con aqella diligente lealtat et discrecion q de bos nos bien confiamos y lo teneys razon debos explissante jurado la quoal dcha moneda quiremos batays durant el tpo de ntra boluntat. Dada en la ciudat de Pomp. So el sello dela chancellerya primero dia del mes de febrero layno a MCCCCLXXXVII. Alayn por su mandado del senor governador et lugartenyent senor …. j de Munarriz

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre, Subentry of AGN, Box 164, Document 22

Et Empues el quoal dcho mandamyento el dcho Martin de Aoyz mtro de la dcha moneda faziendo fue alientado et leyes comienzo a dar a los hobreros dela dcha moneda en emplatura pa cornados et medios cornados y el oro en Rieles pa fazer nabarros de oro e fue mandado poner en la dcha moneda de oro con la forma de las caras del snor Rey et dla Seynora Reyna en la ona parte et en la otra parte las armas Reales de Navarra consu Corona et assi Rendiendo la hobra fecha por los dichos hobreros despues comenzaron atyriar los monederos et Rendiendo por ellos se fizieron las delibranzas por el dcho mtro faziendo primero los ensayos acopela por Miguel despinal mayor dedad ensayador encada delibranza et de alli adelante comenzaron aderramar en el Regno la dcha moneda y el derecho del seynoriaje dela quoal moneda fue amynistrado por el dcho goarda. La Recepta q en el ha probenydo de los dchos por el dcho mtro de la moneda comenzando como dicho es a XIII de Marzo del ayno LXXXVII ata la fin de Otubre del ayno MCCCCLXXXVIII et es segunt la forma q se sigue.

A summary table of the properties of the coins prescribed in the previous unique passages would be as follows:

Name	Value	Nominal Law (Fineness)	Number of Coins / Rough Mark	Nominal Weight (gr)	Legal Fineness Remedy/Tolerance	Legal Weight Remedy/Tolerance
Golden Nabarros 1487-1493	53 Gross	22.5 carats – 937.5 mils	72	3.40g	No remedy	No remedy
Cornados 1487-1493	2 Black Dineros (Negrete)	11 Grains – 38 Mils	256	0.95g	A grain	3-4 Pieces in a rough ounce (24-32 Pieces in a mark)
Negretes – Half-Cornados 1487-1493	A Denier	6 Grains – 20.8 mils	352	0.69g	A grain	4 Pieces in a rough ounce (32 Pieces in a rough mark)

Summary of the structure of the monetary system as outlined in the decree of Viceroy Alain of Albret

And if we compare the above with the specimens from the previous reign, we would have the following summary:

Name	Value	Nominal Law (Fineness)	Number of Coins / Rough Mark	Nominal Weight (gr)	Legal Fineness Remedy/Tolerance	Legal Weight Remedy/Tolerance
Gold Ducats 1482-1486	46 / 47 / 48 Gross	23 carats – 958 mils	72	3.40g	No remedy	No remedy
Golden Navarros – New Ducats 1487-1493	53 Gross	22.5 carats – 937.5 mils	72	3.40g	No remedy	No remedy
Gross 1481-1484	16 Cornado – 32 deniers	4 deniers 3 grains – 343 mils	88	2,78	3 Grains	A Piece in a Mark
Half Gros 1481-1484	8 Cornados – 16 dollars	4 deniers 3 grains – 343 mils	176	1,39	3 Grains	Two Pieces in a Mark
Cornado 1482-1485	2 Black Deniers	15 Grains – 50 Mils	256	0,95	A grain	2 Pieces in a Rough Ounce (16 Pieces in a rough Mark)
Cornado 1487-1493	2 Black Deniers	11 Grains – 38 Mils	256	0,95	A grain	3-4 Pieces in a rough ounce (24-32 Pieces in a mark)
Black Dineros – Half Cornados 1483-1485	A Denier	8 Grains – 27 Mils	352	0,69	A grain	4 Pieces in a Rough Ounce (32 Pieces in a Mark)
Black Money – Half Cornados - Negretes1487-1493	A Denier	6 Grains – 20.8 mils	352	0,69	A grain	4 Pieces in a rough ounce (32 Pieces in a rough mark)

Summary of the structure of the coinage system of the reign of Francis Phoebus and first minting period his successors

Gold coins had the same weight as those minted in the name of Francis Phoebus, but had a gold fineness of half a carat less than that of the old ducats. While the former were called old ducats, the latter were called new ducats or, as the previous passage shows, golden nabarros . The monetary value of these gold coins was set at 53 gros of 12 cornados throughout this first coinage period, that is, 5 pounds and 6 shillings. The old ducats of Francis Febo were given a value of 56 gros, that is, 5 pounds and 12 shillings.

In the case of gold coins, the exchange payment arrangements were simple, there was no tolerance here. For every twenty-two and a half carat gold mark brought by the merchants, 72 coins had to be minted. The merchants would receive 70 of the newly minted gold coins and the remaining two, one would be for the royal house as seigniorage tax payment and the other would be for the mintmaster, in return for the minting costs.

Name	Number of Coins / Rough Mark	Seigniorage Tax	Minting Costs	Merchants' Silver Mark Payment
Golden Nabarros – Struck according to the weight of old Ducats	72	1	1	70

Distribution of gold coinage output

If we look at the accounts of minted gold coins, we can make the following struck quantity summary:

	1487	1488	1489	1490	1491	1492	1493	Total
Number of Nabarros	10964.25	16105.35	16155.75	13020.94	8892.51	11955.64	21369.15	98463.58
Rough Marks	152.28	223.64	224.18	180.70	123.42	165.86	296.66	1366.74
Pure Gold Marks	142.76	209.66	209.83	169.32	115.32	154.86	277.51	1279.26
Seigniorage Tax Revenue	807L 1S 10D	1185L 05S 01D	1188L 03S 07D	957L 14S 09D 0.5OBL	654L 05S 10D	879L 02S 00D	1572L 05S 07D	7243L 18S 08D 0.50OBL
Value (gross)	53	53	53	53	53	53	53

Gold coin mintage and tax revenue

As we can see, a total of 98.463 gold coins were minted during these seven years. The largest number was minted in 1493 (around 21.370 coins). In total 313.1 kg pure gold was used in the minting of the Nabarros, considerably more than the 4,800 coins and the 13 kg of pure gold in the previous reign. The seigniorage tax revenues generated by these gold coins were comparatively very high, amounting to more than 7.243 livres.

An example of an entry shown in the coinage accounts for these gold nabarros is as follows:

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre, Subentry of AGN, Box 164, Document 22

Recepta del seynoriage del oro q se ha batido en la casa dla moneda comenzando laprima delibranza a XXIIII dias de Marzo del Ayno MCCCCLXXXVII

Primo por una delibranza q a XXIIII de Marzo del ayno MCCCCLXXXII fizo el dcho Martin d’aoiz mtro de la dcha moneda de XX marquos V onzas de oro q fueron batidos en la casa dla dcha moneda los quales bistos en rieles antes de hobrar por miguel despynal, mayor de edad, ensayador, y despues en ese dia en hobra fecha indiquo a la ley de XXII quarats et medio et fueron de talla en el peso a LXXII piezas de oro en el marquo de obra, pa el seynoriage de la qual delibro el dcho mtro al goarda a una pieza de oro por marquo de hobra por el derecho dela seynoria q son XX piezas de oro et medio et medio quartillo q a V libras VI sueldos por pieza montan———————————–🡪 CVIIII pounds VI shillings III Pennys (dineros)

In the case of Francis Phoebus, only three gold coins have survived to our days; in the case of these Nabarros, and considering the higher number of minted coins, we are also aware of a higher amount of surviving coins than those of Francis.

These gold nabarros can be classified into two groups, according to the work of the expert Miguel Ibañez Artica. The first group consists of the ones that present larger crown and faces of the royal couple on the obverse; the second group consists of the ones with smaller crown and faces. Within each group, we can find different specimens with different texts on the obverse or reverse.

I have so far found six specimens belonging to the first group and they are presented below. In total, between the two groups, ten specimens will be presented. And here they are:

Gold Nabarro coin minted in the name of the kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 3.44 gr – 22.5 carat gold content (937.5 mils) – Caballero de las Yndias collection – 18.900 EUR Auction Result – First Group

Obverse: REGES: IOHS: KA(TH)EA:NAVARRE

Reverse: SIT:NOME:DOMINE:BENEDI

AUREO & CALICÓ, AUCTION 218-3, LOT 1665 22.10.2009

Gold Nabarro coin minted in the name of the kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 3.40 gr – 23mm diameter – 22.5 carat gold content (937.5 mils) – Treasure of Plaza Yesqueros – On display at the Santa Clara Museum in Murcia – First Group

Obverse: REGES: IOHS: KATHEA:NAVARRE

Reverse: SIT:NOMEN:DOMINI:BENEN

Courtesy of the Government of Murcia and the Santa Clara Museum 09.08.2024

Gold Nabarro coin minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 3.34 gr, 22.3mm diameter – 22.5 carat gold content (937.5 mils) – EUR 8.750 Auction Result – First Group

Obverse: REGES: IOHS: KA(TH)EA:NAVARRE

Reverse: SIT:NOMEN:DOMINI:BENE

JESÚS VICO, AUCTION 169, LOT 230 26.06.2024

Gold Nabarro coin minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 3.40gr, 22.6mm diameter (5h) – 22.5 carat gold content (937.5 mils) – National Archaeological Museum of Madrid (MAN 106-536) – First Group

Obverse: REGES: IOHS: KATHEA:NAVARRE

Reverse: SIT:NOMEN:DOMINI:BEN

Courtesy of the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid

All four coins seen so far had the same die or probably pile on the obverse during the coinage process, but not on the reverse side. This is significant.

However, this subsequent issue pertaining to the first group, does not share the same obverse pile or die.

Gold Nabarro coin minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 3.41gr – 22.5 carat gold content (937.5 mils) – CHF 16,000 Auction Result – First Group

Obverse: IHS: KATHEA:NAVARRE:REG S

Reverse: SIT:NOMEN:DOMINI:BE

NUMISMATICA GENEVENSIS, AUCTION 10, LOT 236 03.12.2018

The sixth and final specimen of the first group is from the Javier Bergua collection. Its photograph appears in the book “Historia de la Moneda de Navarra” (1991, Herper Argitaletxea) and is shown here.

Gold nabarro coin minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – Weight and diameter not stated – First Group

Found: ……………

Ifrenzu: …………

Javier Bergua Collection – Photo by Miguel Ibanez Artica

The edges of this specimen are completely worn and cut. It is impossible to read the texts on the obverse or reverse.

So far, I have found four more specimens pertaining to the second group. In this case, there is no trace of identical pile or dies. There are probably more specimens than these, and we will include them in this entry as they appear.

Gold Nabarro coin minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 3.38 gr – 22.5 carat gold content (937.5 mils) – 15,000 EUR Auction Result – Second Group

Obverse: IOHANES: KATHERINA:R:NAVARRE

Reverse: SIT:NOMEN:DOMINI:BENE.D

AUREO & CALICÓ, AUCTION 275, LOT 99 10.03.2016

Gold Nabarro coin minted in the name of kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 3.33 gr – 22.5 carat gold content (937.5 mils) – Former Huntington collection specimen; repaired hole – 3600 EUR Auction Result, Acquired by the Museum of Navarre – Second Group

Obverse: I(HO)NES : KATERINA : REGS : NAVARR

Reverse: SIT:NOMEN BENEDIE · CTVM

TAULER & FAU AUCTIONS, AUCTION 144, LOT 1314 24.06.2024

Gold Navarro coin minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 3.38 gr – 22.5 carat gold content (937.5 mils) – Courtesy of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France – Second Group

Obverse: IOHANES: KATHERINA:R:NAVARRE

Reverse: SIT:NOMEN:DOMINI:BENED

National Library of France (BNF)

Gold Navarro coin minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 22.5 carat gold content (937.5 mils) – Courtesy of the Instituto de Valencia de Don Juan – Second Group

Obverse: IOHANES: KATHERINA:R:NAVARE

Reverse: SIT:NOMEN:DOMINI:BE

Courtesy of Instituto de Valencia de Don Juan

Before moving forward, I would like to talk about the naming of these gold coins or ducats.

Since the studies of late 20th century, these gold coins that feature the royal faces have been given the names ducat, nabarro and real. A few days ago a press release from the Government of Navarre also named them in the same way. But in all the documents that I have analyzed, these coins only bear the name of ducats or navarros, they do not bear the name of gold reales. The name of gold reales was given to the new 22-carat coins that would be minted from 1495 onwards, which do not feature the faces of the royal couple, and bear the same appearance as the gold reales or shields of the former king Juan II (1441-1479). It is time to name each coin by its original name!!

These first coinages are a continuation of those of Francis Phoebus and should be linked to the legitimization effort of the new royal family. After the coronation, in 1494 and onwards, the new royal family was more firmly established in Navarre, and it started spreading a new imagery on its coins, an imagery that showed continuity with the previous dynasty (the Evreux dynasty, as John II himself had done).

If we look at the silver coins, this first coinage period does not show any traces of the gros or half gros minted during the previous reign. Instead of the medium-value gros minted in Navarre, contemporary documents reflect a flood of foreign coins, like the ones called the Béarnaise blanc and especially the Tarja from Brittany.

Tarja coin from the Duchy of Brittany minted in the name of Anne, Duchess of Brittany (1488-1491)

Obverse: AnnA: BRITOnVm: DVCISSA:R

Reverse: SIT: nOmEn: DnI: BEnEDICTVm

CGB.FR, E-MONNAIES DÉCEMBRE 2014, LOT 338531 03.12.2014

Gabriel, Lord of Avesnes and son of Alain of Albret, representative of the Viceroy of Navarre, states the following in the ordinance on the value and circulation of coins published on April 10, 1492, following the recommendation of the Estates of Estella:

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre AGN, Box 164. First page of document 28.

"Gabriel lugart. a todos quienes las presentes beran e oyran salut fazemos saber q por los tres estados deste dcho Regno q estan congregados en cortes generales en esta ciudad de Estella nos ha seydo referido deziendo que ellos privando e negociando en bien de la cosa publica han seydo reconfirmados tanto por los guardas ensayadores e maestros de la moneda de la Ciudad de Pamplona como por los que por evydente experiencia han bisto y behen de cada dia como en todo este dcho Reyno andan e cursan moneda de diversas maneras de menor balor e demmy (demasiada) baja ley por la qual causa toda la moneda de oro contan en mucho mas precio q es su balor en gran desviacion e dayno comun de todo este dcho Reyno y lo q peor es agora de nuebo ban trayendo tarjas nuebas fechas en Bretagna a precio de seze cornados las quales experimentadas por los dchos maestros han fallado q con la quarte parte no balen tanto como las baquetas de Bearne.(…) e costense las monedas en su devydo balor portanto q se donaron e rizibidas deste su dcho Reyno q en este medio las mon de oro q en el corran hayan de baler a los precios segnyoriales. Et asaber florin doro quarent groses, castellanos doro setentados groses, ducado viejo cinquenta sey groses, ducado nuebo cinquonta tres groses, Real y escudo biejo seisenta grosses, escudo de la baqueta o del sol cinquenta dos groses, escudos ???? groses, florin del rhin treinta seis groses, entiendese todo lo sobre dcho seyendo de buen oro e peso moneda en su ley et q las antedchas tarjas nuebas de Bretagnya no se haya de tomar ??? prio assin qe porellas no se faga mas danyo y el que lo grajo fiziere en dar ny tomar dchas monedas de oro en mas balor delo q sobre dcho es o alguna della o las dchas tarjas tomase en ningun principio seyendose probado encorra por cada begada em pena de XXV libras de la qual pena sean las XX libras pael procurador fiscal e las V libras pael acusador.(…) Dado en la ciudad de P el sello de la chanciell a X de Abril de LXXXXII".

This order prohibited the use of these Tarja coins from Brittany; but it also shows us the exchange rates of various foreign gold coins of the time either local or from neighboring kingdoms. Among these foreign coins, the Castellano coins of Castile are mentioned. These Castellano coins of Ferdinand and Isabella were taken as a model when developing the local nabarro gold coins:

Castilian gold Castellano coin minted in the name of Ferdinand and Isabella, kings of Castile and Aragon – 4.56gr – Seville Mint

Obverse: + QVOS : DEVS : CONIVNGIT : hOMO : NON : SE·

Reverse: + FERNANDVS : ET : ELISABENT : REX : ET :

TAULER & FAU AUCTIONS, AUCTION 145, LOT 188 25.06.2024

The weight and fineness of these Castellano coins were higher than those of the local Nabarros. As a result, the exchange rate of these castellanos was set at 72 twelve-cornado gros, while the local nabarros had a rate of 53 gros (the old Ducats of Francis Febo and the Shields (Ecus) of Bearn also showed an exchange rate of 56 gros and 52 gros respectively).

Likewise, if we look at these Castellanos, we can see that their iconography was the same as that of the local Nabarros, with the image of the king and queen, which was required to be highlighted, on the obverse and the coat of arms of the royal house to be consolidated on the reverse (Navarre and Evreux in our case).

But what was the connection between Brittany and the kingdom of Navarre, and what could have caused these Breton tarjas to appear in Navarre? Alain of Albret, the royal representative and governor of Navarre, was embroiled in the “mad war” of Brittany between 1485 and 1488, and even later until 1491, as the Duke-candidate for the aforementioned heiress, Duchess Anne. Anne eventually married the King of France, but during these years the Navarrese, Gascons and Bearnots having fought in that war brought many tarjas to their villages, replacing their local coins and arousing the concern of the estates.

Alain himself was probably also involved in the introduction of this big quantity of tarjas, and he would have initially established an exchange rate that was beneficial to him. The value of these tarjas from Brittany was the same as that of the gros of Francis Phoebus and the blanc of Bearn, that is, sixteen cornados or thirty two black dineros (negretes). They had such an influence that the medium-valued coins of Navarre would onwards be called tarjas (although they also received the name sezen, due to their value of sixteen cornados).

Let us now examine the details of the minted cornado specimens.

One of the entries that the Cornado mintings make in the seigniorage accounts is the one shown below, the first Cornado minting corresponding to the year 1487. It has a couple of interesting details:

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre, Subentry of AGN, Box 164, Document 22

Recepta del seynoriage delos cornados año LXXXVII

Primo a IIII de abril del ayno MCCCCLXXXVII por una delibranza q el dcho Martin d’Aoyz maestro de la moneda fizo de CCXXII marquos et I Onzas de cornados q fecho ensay a copela por Myguel despinal ensayador contuvieron a la ley de X granos argent fin et de talla fueron al peso a VIII quadernas y I cornado en la onza que según la ley LXXXXII dineros XIII granos 1/4 de fin que son VII sueldos VIII dineros XIII granos argent fin et pa el dcho del senynoriaje delibro el dcho maestro a XXX sueldos por sueldo de ley q montan -> XI Pounds XI Shillings IIII Dineros

That is, on April 4, 1487, the mintmaster Martin de Aoiz delivered the result of 222 marks and one ounce in cornado coins, which were assayed by the assayer Miguel de Espinal. by means of the cupellation method and resulted in a 10 grain silver law. The number of coins produced was 8 quadernas (4 specimens) and one piece per ounce of mintage, that is, ((8*4) + 1 ) = 33 units in an ounce and 33*8 = 264 units in each mark of mintage; this means that in this accounting entry, 222,125*264 = 58.641 cornados were minted in total. According to the coinage law, although the cornados had a nominal silver content of eleven grains, as reflected in the accounts, all mintages benefited from the one grain remedy and Martin paid his seigniorage taxes based on this ten grain silver content.

The seigniorage tax to be paid was 30 shillings (sous-sueldos) per minted mark of fine silver, the same rate as in the previous reign.

If we multiply the number of minted rough marks by ten grains, we would get 2221.25 grains, which is, if we convert it to deniers and grains, the 92 deniers/dineros and 13.25 grains mentioned in the accounts. If we turn this figure around, the minted cornados are said to have used 7 sueldos, 8 deniers and 13 grains of silver. This is quite interesting, because the 222.125 rough marks, with a silver content of 10 grains, should give us an amount of (222.125*1/12*10/24) = 7.7126 pure silver marks used. This amount of silver usage is a weight quantity and should be expressed in marks, ounces, and the like, but instead it is expressed in sueldos, deniers, and grains, where a sueldo was a weight mark (sueldo de ley, roughly 244.750gr), divided into 12 deniers, and a denier into 24 grains. If these 7.7126 marks were converted to this base, it would give us 7 sueldos, 8 deniers, and 13.5 grains, exactly as shown in the accounts (well, actually, with an error of half a grain). Since the amount of silver used was known, the corresponding seigniorage tax could be easily calculated. If each mark of sueldo or pure silver was subject to a tax of 30 sueldos, a quick calculation would show that the tax flow was 11 pounds, 11 shillings and 4 deniers, the same number shown in the accounts.

Let's now see the monetary value that a pure silver mark produced, if we assume a silver content of ten grains per cornado and a nominal quantity of 256 pieces per rough mark:

Name	Rough Marks created from a Silver Mark (10 grains)	Number of Coins minted from a Silver Mark (256 pieces/Rough Mark)	Seigniorage Tax	Minting Costs	Merchants' Silver Mark Payment	Total	Monetary Outcome generated from a Silver Mark	Remaining Monetary outcome discrepancy
Cornados	28.8	7373	30 Sous/Sueldos	????? -50 Sueldos?	?????-39 Pounds?	42 pounds?	61L 8S 9D	19L 8S 9D?

The monetary flow that a pure silver mark could provide in cornados

We do not have precise data on the price of pure silver during this first coinage of Catherine and John. Similarly, the costs of minting are unknown. If the silver seigniorage tax cost of 30 shillings and the salaries of the high officials of the mint during the reign of Francis Febo remained stable during this period, we can conclude that the costs of minting could have also remained at the 50 shillings of the previous reign. Although the remuneration received by merchants for a pure silver mark is unknown, it was probably not at the 28 livres/pounds of the previous reign. When the structure of the coinage of the second period was being prepared, around 1492, it is mentioned that it was impossible to buy silver for less than 39 livres (26 account florins). The regulations of the second coinage period on the other hand, set the payment for pure silver at 37 livres and 10 shillings (25 account florins).

If we take this range of figures into account, it would give us a remaining monetary contribution of around 19 and a half pounds. These Cornados provided even greater profits than those of the previous reign (19 and a half pounds vs. 9 pounds).

But the calculations provided by the guard or the head of the mint, in the preparatory work for the minting of the second coinage period, show us the following (they are preserved in Document 28, Box 164 of the General Archive of Navarre and we can say that they were written around the year 1492).

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre AGN, Box 164, sixteenth page of Document 28 (Verso 8)

Abis de los cornados segun la balor de la plata que es a XXXVIIII libras marquo de plata marcada de Pamplona o Paris

Primo en bun marquo de plata de ley de XI dineros e nuebe granos ay CCLXXIII granos argent fin de los quales habra en cada marquo de obra de cornados a XI granos de ley que monta los granos sobre dichos en obra pa ligar XXIIII marquos e III quartos

Item de los sobre dchos XXIIII marquos e III quartos en onzas se sacan de mermas y a la fundicion del maestro IIII onzas assibien palas mermas de los obreros en diez marquos buna onza o pa la las mermas del emblarquir con las mermas de los dchos obreros e IIII quartos onzas fundifibas

Las mermas de los dchos obreros ———————————————————————— > X Ounces

Asi ha de fazer el dcho maestro dela sobre dcha obra de cornados en net XXIII marquos y IIII Onzas y fara por onza VIIII quadernas al peso que los dchos XXIII marquos y medio montan————-> LVI Pounds VIII Shillings

Los cargos de la sobre dcha obra de cornados son los que se sigue los quales no se pueden escusar

primo por el marquo de plata marcada de Pomp o Paris —————————————–> XXXVIII Pounds

Item XVI libras de cuyre pa la liga dela dcha plata que a II Sezenes montan —————-> IIII Pounds VI shillings

Item a la senoria por su senyoriage por marquo de plata XV Sueldos ————————> XV shillings

Item a los obreros que han de cortar a piezas por su brazaje a dos groses por marquo que los XXXIII marquos y medio montan———————> IIII Pounds XIIII shillings

Item a los monederos por monedar los dchos cornados a bun gros por marquo de hobra q monta ——–> II pounds VII shillings

Pal Maestro por sus trabajos como son aliar fundir e por el carbon consielos e carbon de los obreros tal e a bun pal blanqueo por todos los trabajos en lod dchos XXIII marquos e medio de obra alira ———-> V Pounds VI shillings

Suma toda la obra fecha ————————————————————————————> LVI pounds VIII Shillings

La qual sobre dicha obra de cornados sera a ley de onze granos por marquo de obra con bun grano de Remedio en la dcha ley e sera de talla a treinta seis cornados por onza e assi hubiese feblaje sota este peso sera el dicho feblaje pa la senorya assi bien en los remedios de la ley si los hubiere

Name	Rough Marks created from a Silver Mark (11 grains)	Number of Coins minted from a Silver Mark (288 pieces/Rough Mark)	Seigniorage Tax	Minting Costs	Merchants' Silver Mark Payment	Total	Monetary Outcome generated from a Silver Mark	Remaining Monetary outcome discrepancy
Cornados	23.5	6768	15 Shillings (Sous/Sueldos)	16L 13S	39 Pounds	56L 8S	56L 8S	—

Monetary flow provided by a pure silver mark and its minting costs according to official accounts (April 7th, 1492, AGN, Box 164, Document 28)

The above passage is very interesting. The calculations are made with a silver content of eleven grains, but all cornados were minted with a silver content of around ten grains. The document indicates that 288 pieces (9 quadernas per ounce) were produced from a rough mark, but the coinage accounts usually range between 264 and 280 pieces (only once does a mintage entry appear in the accounts stating that 288 pieces were minted per rough mark).

The reductions due to silver melting and alloying are reported, as are the losses in melting and refining, which are quite large in my opinion.

It also provides information on various prices and costs. Each pound (Libra) of copper ( a bit above a third of a kilogram, since the Navarrese pound weighed about 372 grams) had a price of two sezens or tarjas (32 deniers or 2 sueldos and 8 deniers). It provides information on the seigniorage tax; in this case it is set at 15 sueldos/shillings, whereas the minting accounts always reflect it at 30 shillings. The costs and salaries of the workers and the mintmaster are also shown, which is quite interesting, since the worker who struck coins with a hammer received half the salary of the one who was cutting the blanks or planchets.

Let's now observe the total number of cornado coins struck during these seven years:

	1487	1488	1489	1490	1491	1492	1493	Total
Number of Cornados	291563.00	292693.00	404430.00	356287.00	643356.50	776258.00	684592.00	3449179.50
Rough Marks	1080.75	1068.88	1453.13	1288.25	2335.69	2844.63	2464.00	12535.31
Silver Marks	37.55	37.11	50.59	45.32	84.13	104.62	85.56	444.87
Seigniorage Tax Revenue	56L 5S 16D	55L 12S 16D	75L 13S 07D	67L 02S 09D	121L 12S 11D	148L 03S 00D	128L 06S 08D	652L 18S 07D

Number of minted Cornado coins and generated Seigniorage tax revenue

As seen above, the number of struck cornados was large in this case, around 3.450.000 units within seven years. In each of these seven years, a greater number of cornado coins were struck than in the entire previous reign. In the minting of these cornados about 109 kilograms of pure silver were used. The seigniorage tax generated was eleven times lower than that of the minting of the gold coins .

In the case of these cornados, there are very many specimens that have survived to our days. Cornados were also minted in the second coinage period of the reign and it is not easy to classify the specimens corresponding to each of the two periods.

But, with a bit of courage, we can put forward the following hypothesis: The cornados pertaining to the first coinage period do not have rings around the corners of the IK or between the arms of the cross on the reverse.

Billon cornado minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 0.81 gr – nominal silver content of 38 mils, actual content of 34.72 mils – Probably from 1495. onwards, Second coinage period, with rings on both the obverse and reverse.

Obverse: IOHANES.ET.KA

Reverse: + SIT.NOMEN.DOMINI

Tauler & Fau Auctions, Auction 86, Lot 1020 08.06.2021

We can classify the cornado coins belonging to this first coinage period (the ones not showing rings) into two large groups:

1. Coins with legends that extend around the entire coin, even above the crown on the obverse.

Billon cornado minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 0.83 gr – nominal silver content of 38 mils, actual content of 34.72 mils – First Cornado Group

Obverse: IOHANES *KATHERINA*R

Reverse: +SIT NOMEN DOMINI BE

TAULER & FAU AUCTIONS, AUCTION 2, LOT 369 27.06.2017

2.Cornado Coins in which the crown above the IK letters interrupts the obverse legends. According to the obverse legend, the coins in this second group can be classified into two further subgroups. The first subgroup consists of coins that show numerous variations of the name and title of the king and queen on the obverse:

Billon cornado minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 0.84 gr – Nominal silver content of 38 mils, actual content of 34.72 mils – Second Group, first subgroup

Obverse: IOHANES · KATER

Reverse: + : SIT :· NOMEN : DOMINI ⋮ B :

Tauler & Fau Auctions, Auction 144, Lot 1337 24.06.2024

The specimens of the second subgroup present REGIS NAVARRE in the obverse legend.

Billon cornado minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 0.83 gr – Nominal silver content of 38 mils, actual content of 34.72 mils – Second group, second subgroup

Obverse: REGIS:NAVARRE

Reverse: + SIT:NOMEN:DOMIN:BE

TAULER & FAU AUCTIONS, AUCTION 144, LOT 1345 24.06.2024

Given the large number of struck cornados, many variants of different legends can be found among the ones of this early period. Anyone who wants to deepen this topic, should check the catalogue of the expert Ricardo Ros. However, in this entry, we will only mention two variants:

1. Specimens with variations of the legend SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENE on the obverse (in some cases the same legend can also be found on the reverse and in others, the legend with the name and title of the king and queen will be observed)
2. There are a few rare specimens that show the mirrored legend of the IK letters in the center of the cornado. Here is one of these specimens:

Cornado coin with inverted IK letters – Courtesy of Jordi Vall-llosera Tarres – Weight 0.635 gr, 14-16mm Diameter – Acta Numismatica Num 33, 2003

Finally, let's look at the so-called half-cornados or black dineros (negretes). Below is the first entry in which these half-cornados appear in the seigniorage accounts, corresponding to April 12th and October 27th, 1487:

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre, Subentry of AGN, Box 164, Document 22

Recepta del Seynoriage delos medios cornados

Primo por una delibranza q a XII de abril del ayno MCCCCLXXXVII et otra delibranza q a XXVII de Octubre del dcho ayno fizo el mtro dla moneda de quarenta ocho marquos III onzas de medios cornados q fecho el ensayo por Miguel despinal contuvieron a la ley de V granos argent fin et de talla fuero a XI quadernas y media en la onza q monta la dcha ley X dineros II granos argent fin et delibero el dcho mtro por el derecho de la seynoria a XXX Sueldos por Sueldo de ley q los X dineros II granos montan. -> I Pound V Shillings II dineros.

During the first year, 1487, on April 12th and October 27th, the mintmaster Martin de Aoiz delivered the negrete production result of 48 rough marks and three ounces. These coins were examined by the assayer Miguel de Espinal. The silver law or fineness of these coins is said to have been 5 grains, taking advantage of the remedy of one grain allowed by law. The average weight of half-cornado coins is expressed in the number of quadernas (4 coin units) made from one rough ounce, eleven quadernas and a half, that is, 46 coins in one ounce, 368 coins in each rough mark; an average weight of 244.753/368 = 0.66 grams per coin results.

The amount of silver used in this production is reported afterwards. Based on a silver content of five grains, the 48.375 rough marks used 0.84 pure silver marks ((5 x 48.375/24)/12). Since the minting usage of a pure silver mark had a seigniorage tax of 30 shillings, the tax to be paid was one pound, five shillings and 2 deniers. The calculations do also match in this case.

Once again, let's see what monetary outcome a pure silver mark struck into half-cornado coins could generate:

Name	Rough Marks generated from a pure Silver Mark (5 grains)	Number of Negretes minted from a Silver Mark (352 pieces/Rough Mark)	Seigniorage Tax	Minting Costs	Merchants' Silver Mark Payment	Total	Monetary Outcome generated from a Silver Mark	Remaining Monetary outcome discrepancy
Negrete - Half Cornado	57.6	20.275	30 Sous/Sueldos	????- 50 Sous/Sueldos?	39 pounds?	42 pounds?	84L 09S 07D	42L 09S 07D??

Monetary outcome of a pure silver mark into half-cornado/negretes

We can once again highlight that the minting of a pure silver mark could have had an exceeding monetary contribution of around 42 and a half pounds in the case of half-cornados (it was nineteen pounds in the case of entire cornados).

In the case of the negretes, the official accounts are not as clear as the previously shown case of the entire cornados:

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre AGN, Box 164, sixteenth page of Document 28 (Verso 8)

Assi bien sepueden fazer negretes los quales se faran a la ley de seys granos abra remedio a bun grano por marquo en la dcha ley e sera de talla al peso a doze quadernas por onza q seran quarenta ocho negretes por onza e si fablaje hubiese nenguna sera pa la senorya assi bien el Remedio de grueso Palynbres e en los dichos negretes.

In this case I have had to estimate monetary outcome and guess associated costs, but in my opinion those could have been close to the following ones. Since the rough marks to be processed were close to double, it can be accepted that the processing costs should also have been close to double:

Name	Rough Marks created from a Silver Mark (6 grains)	Number of Coins minted from a Silver Mark (384 pieces/Rough Mark)	Seigniorage Tax	Minting Costs	Merchants' Silver Mark Payment	Total	Monetary Outcome generated from a Silver Mark	Remaining Monetary outcome discrepancy
Negrete - Half Cornado	43.08??	16.544??	15 Shillings (Sous/Sueldos)	29L 03S 08D??	39 Pounds	68L 18S 08D	68L 18S 08D	—??

Overview of monetary outcome in half-cornados that a pure silver mark could produce and associated processing costs (April 7th, 1492, AGN, Document 28, Box 164)

These half-cornados were produced over a period of seven years, starting in 1487 and continuing throughout the following years. Let's look at the total number of half-cornados produced in these seven years:

	1487	1488	1489	1490	1491	1492	1493	Total
Number of Half-Cornados	17802	45540	17072	16826	60156	39008	74336	270740
Rough Marks	48.375	126.5	48.5	44.75	162.25	106	202	738.375
Silver Marks	0.840	2.196	0.926	0.777	2.914	1.997	3.507	13.157
Seigniorage Tax Revenue	1L 5S 2D	3L 6S 8D	01L 05S 03D	01L 03S 04D	04L 04S 05D	02L 15S 02D	05L 05S 01D	19L 05S 01D

Quantity of half-cornado coins minted and tax revenue during the first coinage period

In this case, the number of struck half-cornado coins is not large, barely 270.740 specimens during these seven years, very little for the necessities of the kingdom. When strucking these half-cornados, roughly Three and a quarter kilos of pure silver were used, well below the quantity used in the stricking of the entire cornados. And the generated seigniorage tax revenue was much lower as well.

Here too, in the case of half-cornados, the specimens that have survived to our days are few. We can classify half-cornados into two large groups, those without a ring near the crown (first mintage) and those with rings near the crown (second mintage). Here is an specimen belonging to the first group that has been exhibited at auctions; the size of the crown on these specimens is usually small and, when compared with the Phoebus specimens, they have a clear continuity:

Billion Half-cornado minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 0.39 gr – Nominal silver content of 20 mils, actual silver content of 17 mils – First coinage period

Obverse: IOHANES · KATER

Reverse: +SI … MEN · DOM

TAULER & FAU AUCTIONS, AUCTION 144, LOT 1349 24.06.2024

My first impression would be that the first group of negretes would correspond to the first coinage period. The second group of negretes would have been minted after 1495 and are distinguished by the larger size of the crown and the rings around it. The specimens pertaining to the second group are more numerous.

Billion Half-cornado minted in the name of Kings Catherine of Navarre (1483-1517) and John (1484-1516) – 0.76 gr – Nominal silver content of 20 mils, actual silver content of 17 mils – Specimen pertaining to the second coinage period

Obverse: IOHAN KATER

Reverse: + SIT.NOMEN

TAULER & FAU AUCTIONS, AUCTION 93, LOT 2015 05.10.2021

Before taking a look at the expenses reflected in the accounting books, let's make a summary of the total number of coins minted in these seven years:

	1487	1488	1489	1490	1491	1492	1493	Total
Number of Golden Nabarros	10964.25	16105.35	16155.75	13020.94	8892.51	11955.64	21369.15	98463.58
Number of Cornados	291563.00	292693.00	404430.00	356287.00	643356.50	776258.00	684592.00	3449179.50
Number of Half-Cornados	17802	45540	17072	16826	60156	39008	74336	270740

Summary of coins minted each year

These seigniorage and coinage accounts have another interesting aspect. In this case, in addition to reporting the income collected in seigniorage taxes, they also reported the cash disposals performed in payment of expenses. A lot of disposals went to salary payments of various officers (the guard himself, the assayer, the engraver and the general of the coinage). Other disposals reflect the payments made to the iron and steel worker of the piles and dies. The mint itself also had its own repair works performed, especially the replacement of the roof and the sourcing of the tools and instruments necessary for the minting of coins, which also had their written receipts stored.

But among these accounting records, there are a couple that we should pay close attention to. Here is the first one:

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre, sub-entry AGN, Box 164, Document 23, (page 35)

Item delibro al dcho mtre John delizondo mediquo de sus altezas pa fin de pago de los ciento escudos de sus gages q sobre la recepta del dcho seynoriage tiene cada anyo la suma de CLXVI (166) libras las quales le di a III de abril del ayno LXXXXI pa fin de paguo de los dchos ciento escudos del Reyno, a Mil CCCCLXXXXI por esso aqui ———————-> CLXVI (156) Pounds

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre, sub-entry AGN, Box 164, Document 23, (page 36)

Item a V de Agosto del ayno sobr dcho de MCCCCLXXXXI delibro a mtre John delizondo mediquo de sus altezas pa emparte de paguo de huna asignacion qe sus altezas le dieron sobre el dcho seynoriage de la suma de cient escudos de oro encada ayno comenzando por pra ayavra de Septiembre del ayno LXXXVIIII en siguiente por cada ayno como mas largamente preste por suscrito o prebisto y firmada de sus altezas et sellada del sello de las armas firmado por mano de Bertrand de la Bonhe Serve dado en Lorda el ocheno dia de dezembre del ayno myl quantrocientos e nobenta pa la quoal dia assegnaorn por principio de pago le delibere el dcho v de Agosto al dcho mtre John la suma de CXX libras …………………..> CXX (120) pounds

There was a doctor at court named Jon or Johan of Elizondo. This doctor took care of Catherine's brother, King Francis Phoebus, during his tuberculosis illness; this is what contemporary documents show. According to the coinage accounts, this doctor initially received a salary of 300 gold shields (escudos), but from September 1488 it was changed to an annual salary of 100 gold shields(escudos). By this time, he was already the doctor of the royal couple.

This doctor's payments were made from the minting income, as the accounts show. In exchange of each gold shield/escudo (the shield was already an accounting currency in those days) he was initially given 5 livres, but towards the end of 1492, the doctor demanded a payment of 53 grosz corresponding to new ducats (5 livres and 6 sous) per each gold shield; and he obtained it.

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre, Sub-entry AGN, Box 164, Document 23, (page 58)

"Item a IIII de Junyo del ano sobre dicho delibere a mtre Johann delizondo mediquo de los Rey y Reyna ntros sres pa en present depaguo dla assignacion annual dla pension q sobr el dcho senoriaje tiene al qual delibro en el sobre dcho IIII de Junyo cinquenta nabarros de oro q a V libras VI sueldos Suma ————————————————–> 265 pounds"

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre sub-entry of AGN, Box 164, Document 23, (page 59)

"Item a XIIII de Sept del ano sobre dcho de LXXXXIII delibero a maestre John delizondo mediquo de sus altezas a fin de pago de los cien escudos de oro de sus gages q por ano tiene sobr el derecho del dcho senoriage dla moneda pa los quales le delibero en el sobr dcho XIIII dia de Sept otros cinquenta duquados o nabarros de oro q a V libras VI sueldos pieza montan ————————————————————> 265 (CCLXV) pounds”

But the shown payments made to this doctor so far are not the only ones. The salary of 530 pounds/livres a year was a very generous salary. Pedro Marzilla, the guard, earned a quarter of that. And in the next entry, doctor Johan received an additional payment of another hundred gold escudos during the year 1493.

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre sub-entry of AGN, Box 164, Document 23, (page 59)

"Item delibro el dcho goarda a mtre John delizondo mediquo de sus altezas por buna otra asignacion q sus altezas le dieron ultra la annual por bendida de dos mulas que el dcho mtre John libro a sus altezas por la suma de cient escudos de oro la qual dcha asignacion le presento el dcho mtre John a XI de Mayo del dcho ano LXXXXIII la qual prevysto signada de sus altezas et sellada del sello dlas armas et segnada por mano de seno ay B Bonna Serve. La qoal es datada en Pau el XV dia de Marzo del ano Myl CCCC Noventa y tres los quales cient escudos les fueron deliberados por el dcho goarda al dcho Mtre John los quarenta escudos en el XI de Mayo et los LX escudos a fin de paguo dla dcha asignacion a XXXI de dezembre del dcho ano de LXXXXIII q a cinquo libras seys sueldos pieza montan ————————–> 530 Pounds".

These two mules turned out really expensive for the royal family!!

And the delayed payments were also paid in full, before the closing of the coinage accounts at the end of December 1493.

Courtesy of the General Archive of Navarre, sub-entry AGN, Box 164, Document 23, (page 60)

"Item a XXVIII del mes de deziembre del dcho ano paguo a mtre John delizondo de quoatro meses rezagados de su asignacion anual q comenzaba por esta a I de Septiembre del ano Mil CCCC y Nobanta el dcho pedro comenzo de pagar la prima paga comenzando en el ano de Nobenta y uno et por la importunydat del dcho mtre John par estiendo q senleudaba razon lepaguo por los dchos quoatro meses rezagados la suma de XXXIII escudos de oro y bun tercio q a V libras VI sueldos montan ———————————————–> CLXXVII (177) Pounds VI Shillings VIII dineros"

Finally, on January 12th, 1494, the king and queen had their coronation ceremony in the cathedral of Pamplona. Both the Agramontaines and the Beaumontaines, and the foreign kings (Castile-Aragon and France) agreed, so that as customary, the kings were able to distribute the coinage along his subjects after the coronation. Johan of Elizondo may have had some involvement in this happy ending. Did he act as a mediator or secret ambassador all these years? God knows what happened!!

With the coronation, the kingdom and its royal couple closed the first coinage period. The second period will begin in mid-May 1495, and we will discuss that in a later article.

Bibliography:

Señoreaje y Produccion Monetaria En El Reino De Navarra A Fines del Siglo XV – Juan Carrasco – 2003 –  link

Moneda medieval navarra –Manual de Numismatica – Miguel Ibañez Artica – 2021

Monedas navarras inéditas de Francisco Febus (1479-1483) y de Catalina y Juan de Labrit (1483-1512) – Miquel CRUSSAFONT i SABATER – ACTA NUMISMATICA N°12 -1982 – link

La numismática medieval navarra: antecedentes y situación actual – Miguel Ibañez Artica – 2000 – link

LA MONEDA EN NAVARRA – MUSEO DE NAVARRA – EXPOSICION DEL 31 DE MAYO AL 25 DE NOV 2001. Miguel Ibáñez Artica – link

CATÁLOGO GENERAL DE LA MONEDA DE NAVARRA – Ricardo Ros Arrogante – 2013 – Altaffaylla argitaretxea

HISTORIA DE LA MONEDA DE NAVARRA – Joaquín Lizarraga Arizmendi, Miguel Ibáñez Artica, Javier Bergua Arnedo – 1991 – Herper Argitaretxea

Excel Sheet of Coinage Minting Accounts AGN164 N22 – Monakotik – link

Excel Sheet of Coinage Minting Accounts AGN164 N23 – Monakotik – link

Noves varietats inèdites – Jordi Vall-Llosera i Tarrés – Acta Numismatica Volum 33, 2003 – P. 115-121 – link

Oiartzungo Esteban Donearen Elizako Moneta Aurkikuntza – Miguel Ibañez Artica – 1997 – link

Notas aclaratorias sobre algunas monedas de oro, acuñadas en el reino de Navarra -Joaquin Lizarraga – Gaceta Numismática, 120, 1996, pp. 11-20

Itinerario de los reyes privativos de Navarra: Juan III de Albret-Catalina I de Foix (1483-1517) – ÁLVARO ADOT LERGA – – link

Orígenes del virreinato de Navarra (1479-1486) – ÁLVARO ADOT LERGA – link