France 1583-& 2 sols

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This double sol parisis was a billon coin issued in large numbers during the reign of Henry III (r. 1578-89). This specimen is from the Aix mint in Provence, one of 29 mints to produce this denomination. Milled coinage was experimental in the sixteenth century and would not be generally adopted in France until the reform of 1640-42. This type had a face value of thirty deniers tournois. Sombart reports three known to exist, making this a common date. Single sols exist and are even scarcer. This example was originally in a PCGS holder with the wrong date and mintmark.

Recorded mintage: 208,312.

Specification: 4.706 g, 0.319 fine silver.

Catalog reference: Duplessy 1136, Sb 4472.

Source:

• 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.

Link to:

• 1550-A gros de Nesle (also 30 deniers)
• 1582-S double sol parisis
• 1583-9 huitième d'écu au marteau
• 1583-K franc au col plat
• 1583-B écu d'or au soleil
• 1584-M double sol parisis
• 1593-Z douzain du Dauphiné
• Coins and currency dated 1583
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)