France (1423) blanc
This specimen was lot 1014 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it sold for €270 (about US$385 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Charles VII (1422-1461), Billon blanc aux trois lis, 1e émission (novembre 1423), Mont Saint-Michel (+ final). D/ Trois lis posés 2 et 1. R/ Croix pattée cantonnée de quatre lis. Très rare Craquelure du flan. Beau à Très Beau. Un atelier monétaire royal fut ouvert au Mont Saint-Michel en 1423 et fut fermé avant le 28 mars 1431. (kingdom of France, Charles VII, 1422-61, billon blank of the three lilies, first emission, November 1423, Mont St.-Michel mint. Obverse: three lilies, arranged 2 and 1; reverse: cross pattée cantonned with four lilies. Very rare, flan cracks, Fine - Very Fine. A royal mint was opened at Mont St.-Michel in 1423 and closed in March 1431.)"
This blanc aux trois lis was worth ten deniers tournois, equal to the later karolus. There were four emissions, each slightly debased from the prior one. The denomination was also struck during the reign of Louis XI.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.06 g, 0.399 fine silver, this specimen 2,74 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl-464; Ci. 652; Laf. 465.
- 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.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 145, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
Link to:
- (1422) blanc aux écus, Henry VI
- (1423) petit blanc aux écus, Henry VI
- (1423) écu d'or à la couronne, 1st emission, Charles VII
- (1423) salut d'or, Paris mint, Henry VI
- (1423) salut d'or, Nevers mint, Henry VI
- (1423) salut d'or, Rouen mint, Henry VI
- (1426) écu d'or à la couronne
- (1427) angelot d'or, Henry VI
- (1429) blanc aux lis accotés, La Rochelle mint
- Coins and currency dated 1423
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)