France (1456) blanc

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This denomination, worth ten deniers tournois, was struck in many types during the reign of Charles VII (1422-61) The blanc à la couronne was introduced in 1436 and this fourth emission, with the legends punctuated with stars, is from June 26, 1456. The first emission was 3.06 g, 0.399 fine silver. A petit blanc also exists but is rare. 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. The dot under the 19th letter (most visible under the T of BENEDICTVM) marks this a product of the St. Lô mint.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 3.02 g, .359 fine silver.

Catalog reference: Dupl-519C.

Source:

• Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
• Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.

Links to:

• (1423) blanc aux trois lis
• (1431-61) petit blanc au K, dit "des gens d'armes", Troyes mint
• France (1455) gros de Roi
• (1461-74)-B blanc à la couronne, Bourges mint
• Coins and currency dated 1456
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)