France (1455) gros
The first specimen was lot 72169 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Santa Ana, CA, May 2017), where it sold for $352.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. Gros de Roi, ND. Montpellier Mint. Charles VII (1422-61). NGC AU-58. Good strike with full legends on both sides. Attractive toning with strong underlying luster." The second specimen was lot 1023 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it sold for €220 (about US$314 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Charles VII (1422-1461), AR gros de roi, 2e émission (juin 1455), point 4e, Montpellier. Croisettes initiales. D/ Trois lis sous une couronne. R/ Croix fleurdelisée. Belle patine. Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Charles VII, 1422-61, silver king's groat, second emission, June 1455, fourth point, Montpellier mint. Crosses at start of legends. Obverse: three lilies under a crown; reverse: floriate cross. Nice toning, Very Fine.)"
This coin was issued before the modern system of mintmarks was introduced by Francis I in 1540. Prior to that date, mints used various secret marks to identify and date their product. This coin should have a dot under the fourth letter of the obverse legend, thereby noting it as being produced by the Montpellier mint (later mintmark "N"). Said dot is conspicuous on this gold écu d'or (Fr-308). This issue was part of the second emission of June 1455. Duplessy notes this coin had a face value of thirty denier tournois at the time of issue.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.547 g, .918 fine silver, the second specimen 3,44 g.
Catalog reference: Roberts-2921, Dupl-518A; Ci. 697; Laf. 513.
- [1]Ponterio, Rick, et al., The May 2017 Collector's Choice Sale, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2017.
- 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.
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 145, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
Link to:
- (1431-61) petit blanc au K, Troyes mint
- (1445) écu d'or au soleil, Montpellier mint
- (1447) demi-écu d'or à la couronne
- (1456) blanc à la couronne, 4th emission, St. Lô mint
- (1461) denier tournois
- (1461-78) hardi, Bordeaux mint
- (1461) petit blanc à la couronne
- (1461) gros du Roi, Paris mint
- (1461) gros de Roi, Lyon mint
- Coins and currency dated 1455
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)