France (1359) gros
This specimen was lot 982 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it sold for €1,100 (about US$1,567 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Jean II le Bon (1350-1364), AR gros au châtel couronné, mai 1359, Montpellier. Monnayage particulier au Languedoc. D/ + IOHES♣ DEI♣ GRA Châtel tournois dans lequel un lis couronné. Bordure de dix lis. R/ Croix pattée. Lég. intérieure: + FRANCORVM♣ REX. Rare Belle patine. Très Beau à Superbe. Provient du Trésor de Mirepoix (1956), Trésors II, Paris, 17 novembre 2005, 485. (kingdom of France, John II the Good, 1350-64, silver groat of the crowned castle, May 1359, Montpellier mint, struck for Languedoc. Obverse: castle of Tours, crowned fleur-de-lys within with border of ten lilies; reverse: cross pattée. Rare, nice patina, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
This coin, high in weight and fineness, was valued at 24 deniers tournois. Perhaps a different weight standard applied in the south of France than in the region around Paris.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.26 g, 0.918 fine silver, this specimen 3,24 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl-350; Ci. 389; Laf. 362.
- 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.
Link to:
- (1355) mouton d'or, John II
- (1357) billon gros blanc à la couronne
- (1357) silver gros blanc à la couronne, for Languedoc
- (1358) gros à la fleur de lis, 1st emission
- (1358) gros à la couronne, first emission
- (1359) gros aux trois lis, second emission
- (1359) royal d'or, 2nd emission, John II
- (1360) gros blanc aux fleurs de lis
- (1360) franc à cheval John II
- (1361) gros tournois
- (1369) gros tournois, 2nd emission
- Coins and currency dated 1359
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)