Bearn 1581 franc
This specimen was lot 1317 in Jean Elsen sale 161 (Brussels, March 2025), where it sold for €170 (about US$221 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, BÉARN, Henri II (1572-1589), AR franc, 1581, Pau. Au titre de roi de Navarre. D/ Grand b. l. et cuir. à d. En dessous, vaquette. R/ Croix formée de quatre fleurons, cantonnée de quatre H couronnés. Rare. Petites traces de vert-de-gris au revers. (France, kingdom of Béarn, Henry II, 1572-89, silver franc of 1581, Pau mint, struck in the name of the king of Navarre. Obverse: large laureate and armored bust right, a cow below; reere: a cross formed of four fleurs-de-lys, cantonned with four crowned 'H's'. Rare, small traces of verdigris on the reverse, Fine - Very Fine.)"
This type is not listed in Duplessy as this is not a French coin. Henry is entitled "HENRICVS·II·D·G·REX·NAVARRE·DB·" rather than his later title of Henry IV, king of France. The reverse has the motto "GRATIA·DEI·SVM·Q[UE]·SVM·" (Thanks to God, I am who I am.). Henry's assumption of the throne of France would mean the incorporation of Béarn into the kingdom but the mints there would issue distinctive types until the end of the ancien régime. This type was struck 1579 and 1581-82 in imitation of the silver francs of Henry III.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.57 g, 0.833 fine silver, 35.5 mm diameter, this specimen 13,35 g.
Catalog reference: P.A. 3485 var.; D. 1319.
- 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 161, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
Link to: