France 1585-M franc
This specimen was lot 40161 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2019), where it sold for $840. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. Franc, 1585-M. Toulouse Mint. Henry III (1574-89). NGC AU-58. Called a franc au col fraise and valued at one-third ecu d'or, this type was struck at numerous mints 1575-86 with many variations in the placement of the date and mintmark. Due to massive clipping, the regime ultimately suspended production in 1586. That said, this survivor is far better than most pieces manufactured during that period, displaying a strike that is nearly full, softening ever so slightly along portions of the edges, with clean fields and attractive tone that compliments both sides. Easily one of the finer examples we've seen on the whole. From the Collection of Dr. James Eustace Bizzell, II." This franc avec fraise is distinguished from the contemporary franc au col plat by the addition of a lace ruff to the king's collar. It seems to be unique to the Toulouse mint.
Recorded mintage: est. 252,110, a rare date.
Specification: 14.18 g, 0.833 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Duplessy-1130A; Ciani-1434; Roberts-3612, Sb 4720.
- 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]Ponterio, Richard, The August 2014 Chicago ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Featuring the David O'Harrow Collection, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2014.
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