France 1582-M 1/2 franc
This specimen was lot 1456 in Jean Elsen sale 153 (Brussels, December 2022), where it sold for €110 (about US$139 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Henri III (1574-1589), AR demi-franc au col plat, 1582 M, Toulouse. D/ B. l. et cuir. à d. R/ Croix feuillue et fleurdelisée, H en coeur. Belle patine. Fines griffes. Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Henry III, 1574-89, silver half france with the flat collar of 1582, Toulouse mint. Obverse: laureate and armored bust right; reverse: floriate and leafy cross with an "H" in the center. Nice patina, fine scratches, Very Fine.)"
This demi-franc d'argent had a face value of ten sols tournois and was struck 1575-89. The franc d'argent was the target of heavy counterfeiting and was terminated in 1586; the demi-franc survived until 1641.
Recorded mintage: unknown but a scarce date.
Specification: 7.09 g, 0.833 fine silver; this specimen is 7,10 g.
Catalog reference: Sb 4716 (2 ex.), Dupl-1131; Ci. 1430; Laf. 971.
- 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 153, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
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