France 1595-C douzain

from the Mountain Groan Collection

close up of the date

Milled coinage was experimental in the sixteenth century and would not be generally adopted in France until the reform of 1640-42. This douzain is the second type struck for Henry IV (the first type has the king's name starting at the bottom left). It was minted at 20 mints 1590-1603 and some of the mintages are reported to be in the millions. It had a face value of 12 deniers tournois. Sombart reports 17 known of this date.

Recorded mintage: est. 478,176.

Specification: 2.39 g, .240 fine silver.

Catalog reference: Sb 4420.

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.

Links to:

• 1588-C douzain aux deux H
• 1595-N double tournois
• 1595-Z douzain du Dauphiné
• 1595-K demi-franc
• 1595-L quart d'écu
• Coins and currency dated 1595
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)