Dombes 1577 teston

Jean Elsen sale 143, lot 1726

This specimen was lot 1726 in Jean Elsen sale 143 (Brussels, December 2019), where it sold for €140 (about US$183 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"FRANCE, DOMBES, Principauté, Louis II de Bourbon-Montpensier (1560-1582), AR teston, 1577. D/ B. cuir. à g. R/ Ecu couronné, entre deux lambda couronnés. Très Beau. (France, principality of Dombes, Louis II de Bourbon-Montpensier, 1560-82, silver teston of 1577. Obverse: armored bust left; reverse: crowned arms between two crowned lambdas. Very Fine.)"

The Dombes region lies south of Franch Comte and west of Savoy and was a fief of the Montpensier family. The teston was last struck in France in 1577 and was superseded by the franc au col plat.

Reported Mintage: unknown.

Specification: 9.598 g, 0.899 fine silver, this specimen 9,10 g.

Catalog reference: Divo, Dombes, 34; D. 2932.

Source:

• Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
• ^[1]Elsen, Philippe, Vente Publique 143, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2019.

Link to:

• France 1576-M teston
• Dombes 1575 ecu d'or Fr-122
• 1576 écu d'argent, mint officials' pass
• Bearn 1577 teston
• Navarre 1577 teston
• 1577-A franc au col plat
• Dombes 1578 ecu d'or Fr-122
• Coins and currency dated 1577
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)