Brittany (1442-50) cavalier d'or Fr-95

Heritage sale 61253, lot 99037

This specimen was lot 99037 in Heritage sale 61253 (Dallas, January 2022), where it sold for $7,200. The catalog description^[1] noted,

"France: Brittany. François I gold Ecu d'Or au chevalier ND (1442-1450) MS64 NGC, Rennes mint. +: FRΛnCISCVS: DЄI: GRΛ: BRITOnV: DVX: R: (double mullet stops), François, crowned and armored on horseback, brandishing sword in right hand, and holding shield in left, advancing right / +: DЄVS: In: ΛDIVTORIV: mЄVm: In TΛnDЄ: R: (double mullet stops), cross fleuillue with each limb terminating in trefoil, ermines in angles, all within quatrefoil. Essentially unsurpassable quality, and a grade that would find itself a welcomed sight for any hammered emission of the period. Struck with full detailing highlighted by a shimmer underlying luster, the viewer will not encounter the least difficulty in reading the legends, the edges virtually unchipped without the least evidence of clipping. For the condition-minded collector looking for the best, we can think of no better example to serve as a cornerstone of a fine cabinet of French feudal gold."

This coin was issued by the duke of Brittany and was obviously inspired by the franc à cheval of the previous century.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 3.37 g, 0.958 fine gold; this specimen 3.32 g.

Catalog reference: Fr-95, PdA-1195, Dupl-318, Boudeau-124 var. (legends), Bigot-1089 var. (punctuation), Jéz-385c.

Source:

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]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, The Brittany Collection of French Coins Showcase Auction #61253, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.

Link to:

Brittany (1442-50) cavalier d'or Fr-95

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