1 Groat - Robert III of Bethune (Tournois castle)

The groat, or groot, was minted during the reign of Robert III, Count of Flanders, famously known as Robert of Béthune. Emerging from the complex political landscape of the early 14th century, this coinage served as a critical tool for trade in the prosperous textile-producing towns of Flanders. Robert III, who had navigated the tumultuous conflicts with the French crown, issued these coins to stabilize local currency and assert his authority amidst the economic independence of Flemish cities like Bruges, Ghent, and Ypres.

The design of the Tournois castle groat draws significant inspiration from the French gros tournois introduced by Louis IX. By adopting the iconic castle motif, the Flemish mints sought to create a coin that was immediately recognizable and trusted in international markets. This design choice facilitated the extensive trade networks Flanders maintained across Europe, providing a reliable medium of exchange that mirrored the weight and fineness of the widely accepted French standard.