France (1413) gros
This specimen was lot 735 in Jean Elsen sale 160 (Brussels, November 2024), where it sold for €300 (about US$380 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Charles VI (1380-1422), AR gros aux lis, juin 1413, point 4e, Montpellier. D/ Trois lis dans le champ. R/ Croix fleurdelisée. Dupl-381; Ci. 518; Laf. 385. 2,90 g. Rare. Fines griffes. Très Beau à Superbe. (kingdom of France, Charles VI, 1380-1422, silver groat of the lilies, June 1413, secret dot under the fourth letter, Montpellier mint. Obverse: three lilies in the field; reverse: floriate cross. Rare, fine scratches, very fine to extremely fine.)"
This type directly preceded the better-known gros aux lis shown below. It was 2.893 g, 0.931 fine silver with a face value of 20 deniers tournois. The second specimen was lot 997 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it sold for €260 (about US$371 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Charles VI (1380-1422), AR gros aux lis couronnés (grossus), novembre 1413, point 15e, Rouen. D/ + KL': DI': G': FRACORV': REX Croix pattée. Double légende sur le tour. R/ GROSVS:' TVRONVS Trois lis sous une couronne, dans une bordure d'une croisette et onze lis. Rare Fines fêlures du flan. Très Beau à Superbe. (kingdom of France, Charles VI, 1380-1422, silver groat of the crowned lilies, November 1413, dot on 15th letter, Rouen mint. Obverse: double legend around a cross pattée; reverse: three lilies under a crown, border of a cross and eleven lilies. Rare, rim cracks, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
The third specimen was lot 618 in Sincona sale 89 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 425 CHF (about US$562 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[3] noted,
"FRANKREICH Königreich, Charles VI. 1380-1422. Gros au lis sous une couronne o. J. (3.11.1413), Rouen. Vorzüglich. Schöne Patina. Exemplar der Auktion Auctiones AG 26, Basel, September 1996, Los 2068. (kingdom of France, Charles VI, 1380-1422, undated gros of the crowned lilies, Rouen mint. Extremely fine, Nice toning.)"
Duplessy notes that this product of the Rouen mint had a face value of 20 deniers tournois.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.75 g, 0.718 fine silver, the first specimen 3,29 g, the second specimen 3.62 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl-384A; Ci. 521; Laf. 388. The third specimen Duplessy 384.
- 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 160, Collection de deniers liegeois et Collection de monnaies d'or francaises, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 145, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
- [3]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 89, The Garrulus Collection of Numismatic Rarities and Masterpieces, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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