France. Normandy. Richard the Fearless. Rouen. 943-996. AR Denier (1.09g, 9h). PA 111; Merson 1 (this coin). Lightly toned. An exceptional coin. Slightly wavy flan, otherwise, choice extremely fine. From a European private collection; former Robert Anthony Merson (1950–2016) collection

Richard the Fearless was the son of William Longsword and grandson of the famous Rollo, the founder of the duchy. His reign was marked by a long period of peace and tranquility. His daughters forged strong and valuable marriage alliances with powerful neighboring counts as well as to the king of England. Richard was thus the grandfather of Harthacnute and Edward the Confessor, and the great-grandfather of William the Conqueror.