Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 1934. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SPAIN, Castile & León. Pedro I el Cruel (the Cruel). 1350-1369. AR Real (3.47 g, 6h). Sevilla mint. + DOmInVS : mIChI : ADIVTOR : ЄT ЄGO : DI/SPICIAm : InImICOS : mЄOS :, crowned P / + PЄTRVS : RЄX : CASTЄLLЄ : ЄLЄGIOnIS : Є, coat-of-arms of Castille and León within quatrelobe; three annulets around, S below. ME 1289; Burgos 340. Good VF, toned.

From the Leonard O. Greenfield Collection.

Pedro I is commonly remembered as a cruel tyrant, murderer of all who opposed him. However, this view was popularized by the chroniclers of his usurper, Enrique II. Pedro’s supporters viewed him in a more positive light, calling him “el Justiciero.” This alternative viewpoint is expressed by the Monk in the Canterbury Tales, who laments the Castillian king’s death.