Besancon 1623 2 gros
This specimen was lot 1226 in Jean Elsen sale 150 (Brussels, March 2022), where it sold for €110 (about US$146 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, BESANCON, Ville impériale, AR quart de teston (2 gros), 1623. Au titre de Charles Quint. D/ B. l., dr. et cuir. de l'empereur à g., accosté de la date. R/ Armes de la ville en plein champ. Fine griffe au droit. Le revers décentré. Très Beau à Superbe. (France, imperial city of Besançon, silver quarter teston or double gros of 1623, struck in the name of Charles V. Obverse: laureate, draped and armored bust of the emperor left, dividing the date; reverse: arms of the town in a plain field. Fine scratch on the obverse, reverse off center, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
This type is listed for 1623-24. All of the coinage of this town bears Charles V's portrait, even long after his death. Besançon was incorporated into France in 1678. French coins struck there bear the mintmark "CC".
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 2,61 g.
Catalog reference: Roberts-7016, KM-20, C.C.K. M13/1623; P.A. 5416 var.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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 150: Collection J.F.L. Blankenberg, Monnaies de l'Orient Latin, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
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