France (1498-1515) blanc
This specimen was lot 1045 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it sold for €140 (about US$200 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Louis XII (1498-1515), billon blanc de Provence, Tarascon. 1er type. D/ Ecu de France sous une couronnelle, entre deux L couronnés. R/ Croix de Jérusalem. Très rare. Beau à Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Louis XII (1498-1515), billon blank of Provence, Tarascon mint, first type. Obverse: crowned arms of France between two crowned "L's"; reverse: Jerusalem cross. Very rare, Fine - Very Fine.)"
This douzain was produced at Tarascon for the county of Provence. It was worth twelve deniers tournois, the same as the douzain, and is often confused with it. The Jerusalem cross was the symbol of the Crusader state of the kingdom of Jerusalem. After the Arabs reconquered the kingdom with the fall of Acre in 1291, the now empty title was claimed by several monarchs, including the king of France.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.84 g, 0.359 fine silver, this specimen 2,48 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl-667; Ci. 933; Laf. 607.
- 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.
Link to:
- (1498-1515) denier tournois
- (1498) blanc de Bretagne
- (1498) grand blanc à la couronne
- (1498-1515) douzain au porc-épic de Bretagne
- (1498) demi-écu d'or au soleil, Toulouse mint
- (1498) écu d'or au soleil, Lyon mint
- (1498-1515) écu d'or au soleil de Bretagne, Rennes mint
- (1498-1507)-T écu d'or au soleil de Provence
- (1498-1507) écu d'or au soleil du Dauphiné
- (1503-06) blanc de Provence
- (1507) douzain au porc-épic
- Coins and currency dated 1498
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)