France 1593-Z douzain
This specimen was lot 1562 in Jean Elsen list 267 (Brussels, January-March 2014), where it was offered for €50 (about US$69). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Henri IV (1589-1610), billon douzain du Dauphiné, 1593 Z, Grenoble. 2e type. Droit: Ecu écartelé de France-Dauphiné couronné, accosté de deux H. Revers: Croix ancrée cantonnée de deux couronnes et de deux dauphins. Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Henry IV (1589-1610), billon douzain of Dauphiné of 1593, Grenoble mint, second type. Obverse: crowned, quartered arms of France and Dauphiné divide two "H's". reverse: cross with crowns and dolphins in the fields. Very fine.)"
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 twelve deniers tournois, a denomination later occupied by the copper sou. Duplessy lists this type for the Grenoble mint 1593-97 while Sombart noted 1593-95.
Recorded mintage: unknown but a common date.
Specification: 2.39 g, .240 fine silver, this specimen 2,16 g.
Catalog reference: Dupl-1257; Ci., 1565; Laf., 1096, Sb 4442.
- 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.
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