France (1538-40) grand blanc
This specimen was lot 1835 in Jean Elsen sale 163 (Brussels, November 2025), where it sold for €260 (about US$300 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, François Ier (1515-1547), AR grand blanc à la couronne, s.d. (1538-1540), Turin. 6e type. D/ Écu de France entre trois couronnelles, dans un trilobe. R/ + XTS VIN XTS RE XTS IMP [TMV] Croix cantonnée de deux lis et deux couronnelles, dans un quadrilobe. Très rare. Petit éclat sur la tranche. (kingdom of France, Francis I, 1515-47, undated silver granc blanc of the coronet, circa 1538-40, Turin mint, sixth type. Obverse: arms of France between three coronets within a trilobe; reverse: cross cantonned with two lilies and two coronets within a quadrilobe. Very rare, minor edge bump, Fine - Very Fine.)"
This type was struck by Francis I in Italy durin one of his many campaigns there. Francis and emperor Charles V signed the Truce of Nice in 1538 wherein the French retained Turin but the Spanish held Milan. This truce lasted until 1542. Similar grand blancs were struck all over France (Dupl-835 thru -855). The face value was twelve deniers tournois.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.66 g, 0.339 fine silver, this specimen is 2,04 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl. 841; Ci. -; Laf. 699.
- 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 163, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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