Brittany (1498-99) blanc
This specimen was lot 1454 in Jean Elsen sale 155 (Brussels, June 2023), where it sold for €1,700 (about US$2,228 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, BRETAGNE, Anne, veuve de Charles VIII (1498-1499), AR blanc à l'écu, Rennes. D/ ANA FRACOR REGIA BRITON DVCISA Ecu parti France et Bretagne. R/ SIT NOMEN DNI BENEDICTVM R Croix fourchée et échancrée, cantonnée de quatre mouchetures couronnées. Extrêmement rare. Coup au droit. Très Beau. (France, duchy of Brittany, Anne, widow of Charles VIII, 1498-99, silver blanc of the shield, Rennes mint. Obverse: divided arms of France and Brittany; reverse: forked and notched cross cantonned with four ermines. Extremely rare, obverse nick, Very Fine.)"
Wikipedia comments,
"Anne of Brittany (1477–1514) was reigning Duchess of Brittany from 1488 until her death, and Queen of France from 1491 to 1498 and from 1499 to her death. She was the only woman to have been queen consort of France twice. During the Italian Wars, Anne also became Queen of Naples, from 1501 to 1504, and Duchess of Milan, in 1499–1500 and from 1500 to 1512."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 2,42 g.
Catalog reference: Roberts-6195, Jézéquel 435b; D. 361.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 155, Collection Marc Bar et Distinctions de Jean-Baptiste Nothomb, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2023.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
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