France (1488) liard
This specimen was lot 1502 in Jean Elsen sale 147 (Brussels, June 2021), where it sold for €220 (about US$322 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Charles VIII (1483-1498), billon liard au dauphin, 2e émission (octobre 1488), point 18e, Paris. D/ Dauphin à g. R/ Croix cantonnée de deux lis et de deux couronnelles. Rare dans cette qualité. Superbe. (kingdom of France, Charles VIII, 1483-98, billon liard of the dauphin, second emission of October 1488, dot under the 18th letter, Paris mint. Obverse: dolphin left; reverse: cross cantonned with two crowns and two lilies. Rare in this quality, Extremely Fine.)"
These monnaies noires (black money), cheaply made, heavily counterfeited and frequently demonetized, were the bane of the poor who were forced to use them. Five centuries later, they are still unpopular with collectors. In its day, this coin had a face value of three deniers.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.04 g, 0.239 fine silver, this specimen 0,92 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl-600A; Ci. 828; Laf. 574a.
- 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.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 147: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.
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