France (1489) niquet

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Jean Elsen sale 145, lot 1038

This specimen was lot 1038 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it sold for €100 (about US$143 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,

"FRANCE, Royaume, Charles VIII (1483-1498), billon niquet, février 1489, Dijon. D/ Lis couronné. R/ Croix fleurdelisée. Très Beau. (kingdom of France, billon niquet, February 1489, Dijon mint. Obverse: crowned lily; reverse: floriate cross. Charles VIII, 1483-98, Very Fine.)"

This billon niquet was worth three-fifths of a denier tournois, already the smallest circulating denomination. 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.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 1.16 g, 0.079 fine silver, this specimen 1,20 g.

Catalog reference: Dupl-607A; Ci. -; Laf. 583.

Source:

  • 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 145, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.

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