France 1563-D 1/2 teston
This specimen was lot 1114 in Jean Elsen sale 141 (Brussels, June 2019), where it sold for €300 (about US$398 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
" FRANCE, Royaume, Charles IX (1560-1574), AR demi-teston, 1563D, Lyon. 4e type. D/ B. l. et cuir. à g. R/ Ecu de France couronné. Rare Belle patine. Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Charles IX, 1560-74, silver half teston of 1563, Lyon mint, fourth type. Obverse: laureate and armored bust left; reverse: crowned arms of France. Rare, nice patina, Very Fine.)"
This demi-teston was the fourth type issued for Charles IX. It has a different abbreviation on the reverse and no crowned "C's". The king's armor is decorated and he is wearing laurels. It was worth six sols tournois and was struck 1561-74 at Limoges, 1562-68 and 1572 at Lyon. The date is in Roman numerals.
Recorded mintage: unknown but a few are known to exist.
Specification: 4.79 g, .899 fine silver, this specimen 4,67 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl-1072; Ci. -; Laf. 902, Sb 4620.
- 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 141, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2019.
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