France (1318) gros
This specimen was lot 940 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it sold for €180 (about US$257 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Philippe V le Long (1316-1322), AR gros tournois. D/ Croix pattée. Différent: petit I entre PHILIPPVS et REX. R/ Châtel tournois. Bordure de douze lis. Différent: petit I entre TVRONVS et CIVIS. Rare Rogné. Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Philip V the Tall, 1316-22, undated silver groat. Obverse: cross pattée, privy mark: small "I" between "PHILIPPVS" and "REX"; reverse: castle of Tours, border of twelve lilies; privy mark: small "I" between "TVRONVS" and "CIVIS". Rare, clipped, Very Fine.)"
This coin had a face value of 15 deniers tournois. Clipping was the bane of medieval coiners. Despite barbaric penalties, it was rampant until the invention of edge lettering in the seventeenth century. The only other coin listed for this ruler is a gold agnel d'or.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.13 g, 0.958 fine silver, this specimen 3,07 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl-238; Ci. 244; Laf. 242.
- Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome I, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
- 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 145, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
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