France (1351) maille
This specimen was lot 889 in Jean Elsen sale 163 (Brussels, November 2025), where it sold for €80 (about US$93 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Jean II le Bon (1350-1364), AR maille blanche, 1e émission (mai 1351). D/ Croix pattée. Légende intérieure: + IOHANNES REX. R/ + FRANCORVM Châtel tournois dans une bordure de onze lis. Nettoyé. Légère faiblesse de frappe. (kingdom of France, John II the Good, 1350-64, silver maille blanche, first emission of May 1351. Obverse: cross pattée; reverse: stylized castle within a border of eleven lilies. Cleaned, slightly weakly struck, Very Fine.)
This type was issued twice in 1351. The first emission, shown here, was in May and had a value of 7½ deniers tournois; the second emission in September (Dupl-296A) was reduced to 0.319 fine silver. Jean II was captured by the English at the battle of Poitiers in 1356 and spent most of the rest of his reign in captivity. He died in 1364, aged 44 years.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.70 g, 0.359 fine silver, this specimen is 1,50 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl. 296; Ci. 366; Laf. 299.
- 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 163, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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