Bearn (1516-55) douzain
This specimen was lot 1729 in Jean Elsen sale 144 (Brussels, March 2020), where it sold for €120 (about US$158 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, BEARN, Henri d'Albret (1516-1555), billon douzain à la croisette, s.d., Morlaas. D/ Ecu de Navarre-Béarn couronné. R/ Croisette dans un quadrilobe. Très Beau. (France, kingdom of Bearn, Henry of Albret, 1516-55, undated billon douzain of the little cross, Morlaas mint. Obverse: crowned arms of Navarre and Bearn; reverse: small cross in a quadrilobe. Very Fine.)"
In the sixteenth century, Béarn was still autonomous and struck its own coinage. In France, a douzain was a billon coin worth twelve deniers tournois, which standard we have used below.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.85 g, 0.360 fine silver, 2,02 g.
Catalog reference: Roberts-6282, B. 583; P.A. 3408; D. 1286.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 144, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
Link to:
- Bearn (1412-36) denier, Jean I de Grailly
- Bearn 1565 teston
- Coins and currency dated 1516
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)