France (1360) gros
This specimen was lot 974 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it sold for €240 (about US$342 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Jean II le Bon (1350-1364), billon gros blanc aux fleurs de lis, décembre 1360. D/ + IO-HES- DEI- GRA Croix coupant la légende, cantonnée de quatre couronnelles. R/ + FRANCORVM* REX Champ semé de lis. Rare Fine griffe au droit. Flan large. Très Beau à Superbe. Provient de notre liste 192, juillet 1997, 393. (kingdom of France, John II the Good, 1350-64, billon white groat of the fleur-de-lys, December 1360. Obverse: cross cutting the legends, cantonned with four crowns; reverse: double legend, field seeded with lilies. Rare, fine scratch on obverse, large flan. Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
This coin had a face value of 10 deniers tournois. Later in the reign, the gros was raised in fineness, lowered in weight and raised in value to 15 deniers. Many a merchant's eyes must have rolled.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.53 g, 0.359 fine silver, this specimen 3,62 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl-312; Ci. 425; Laf. 315.
- 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:
- (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 au châtel couronné, Montpellier mint for Languedoc
- (1359) gros aux trois lis, second emission
- (1359) royal d'or, 2nd emission, John II
- (1360) franc à cheval John II
- (1361) gros tournois
- (1364) franc à cheval, Charles V
- (1369) gros tournois, 2nd emission
- Coins and currency dated 1360
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)