France (1389) denier tournois
This specimen was lot 1674 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Charles VI (1380-1422), Cu denier tournois. Avec lis initial au droit et au revers. D/ Deux lis accotés. R/ Croix pattée. Très rare. Beau à Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Charles VI, 1380-1422, copper denier tournois with a lily at the start of the obverse and reverse legends. Obverse: two lilies; reverse: cross pattée. Very rare, Fine - Very Fine.)"
Duplessy lists five emissions for this monnaie noire (black coin):
- Dupl-394 (March 1385): 0.979 g, 0.159 fine silver;
- Dupl-394A (September 1389): 1.088 g, 0.133 fine silver;
- Dupl-394B (October 1411): 1.019 g, 0.119 fine silver;
- Dupl-394C (May 1417): 0.816 g, 0.119 fine silver;
- Dupl-394D (October 1417): 0.815 g, 0.079 fine silver.
All are such low alloy silver that they would definitely appear to be copper after a brief period of circulation. This example is too poorly struck to be able to ascertain the different d'atelier which would locate the mint of origin. It is either the second or third emission, based on the weight, with the second emission being more likely. Other monnaies noires included a double tournois (Dupl-393) and an obole (Dupl-395).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: billon, this specimen 1,03 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl-394 var.; Ci. 556 var.; Laf. 393 var.
- 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 158, Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
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