France 1566-H teston
This specimen was lot 99014 in Heritage sale 61259 (Dallas, TX, February 2022), where it sold for $119. The catalog description[1] noted, "France: Charles IX Teston 1566-H F15 NGC, La Rochelle mint. A lovely circulated example exhibiting a pleasing patina that silhouettes the devices." This type, worth 12 sols tournois, was struck 1561-74. Note the date in Roman numerals. It was struck at Toulouse. This is the most common teston of the reign; others include a teston with crowned K's (Dupl-1067) or monogram on the reverse (Dupl-1071). Another teston struck by the rebel Huguenots featured the king's bust right (Dupl-1073). This is not a rare date, with six examples reported in Sombart.
Recorded mintage: 40,231, including a few half testons. Two assayers exist for this date.
Specification: 9.59 g, .899 fine silver, this specimen 9.25 g.
Catalog reference: Sb 4602, Dupl-1063.
- 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.
- Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, The Long Island Collection of French Coins Showcase Auction #61259, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2022.
Link to:
- 1566-K teston
- 1566-M teston
- 1566-A écu d'or au soleil, Paris mint
- 1566-B écu d'or au soleil, Rouen mint
- 1566-H écu d'or au soleil, La Rochelle mint
- 1566-K écu d'or au soleil, Bordeaux mint
- 1566-M écu d'or au soleil, Toulouse mint
- 1566-Y écu d'or au soleil, Bourges mint
- 1566-& écu d'or au soleil
- 1567-D teston
- 1567-K teston
- 1567-L teston
- Coins and currency dated 1566
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)