Besancon 1639 1/2 pistolet Fr-75
This specimen was lot 20116 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (Newport Beach, CA, January 2021), where it sold for $5,280. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. Besancon. 1/2 Pistolet, 1639. PCGS AU-50 Gold Shield. Trade coinage in the name of Charles V. Obverse: Laureate head left; Reverse: Coat-of-arms on imperial double eagle. Struck on a fairly round flan, this type features the bust of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (Charles I of Spain). Despite the fact that he had passed away over 80 years prior, he remained on the coinage of this city on account of his decree allowing their own coinage in the first place--his only stipulation being that he appeared upon it. Fairly RARE and seldom seen. Ex: Stack's (1/2008) Lot # 2571." Altho today Besançon is part of France, being the chief city of the Franche-Comte, in 1642 it was part of the Holy Roman Empire. It was incorporated into France in 1678. French coins struck there bear the mintmark "CC". This is the only known date of this type; a type with the bust facing right was struck 1653-54.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.22 g, gold, this specimen 6.53 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-75; KM-35 (this coin illustrated).
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The January 2021 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Oro del Nuevo Mundo and Matt Orsini Collections, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
Link to:
- 1578 demi-pistole
- 1624 teston
- Besancon 1639 teston = 1/4 thaler = 8 gros
- 1642 half thaler
- Coins and currency dated 1639
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)