France 1552-H douzain
This specimen was lot 1772 in Jean Elsen sale 154 (Brussels, March 2023), where it sold for €120 (about US$155 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Henri II (1547-1559), billon douzain aux croissants, 1552 H, La Rochelle. D/ Ecu de France couronné, entre deux croissants couronnés. R/ Croix fleurdelisée, cantonnée de deux H et de deux couronnelles. Très Beau à Superbe. (kingdom of France, Henry II, 1547-59, billon douzain of the crescents of 1552, La Rochelle mint. Obverse: crowned arms of France between two crowned crescents; reverse: floriate cross cantonned with two "H's" and two coronets. Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
These thin coins are often brittle and pieces get chipped off, visible on many examples. Milled coinage was experimental in the sixteenth century and would not be generally adopted until the reform of 1640-42. This type had a face value of twelve deniers tournois, a denomination later occupied by the copper sou. It is the most common silver coin from this reign.
Recorded mintage: 448,560.
Specification: 2.682 g, .292 fine silver, this specimen 2,08 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl-997, Sb-4380 (6 examples reported), Ci. 1305; Laf. 835.
- 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.
- Sombart, Stéphan, Franciae IV: Catalogue des Monnaies Royales Françaises de François Ier à Henri IV (1540-1610), Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 1997.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 154, Trouvaille de Labuissière, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2023.
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