France 1653-AR 1/2 ecu

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Jean Elsen sale 137, lot 997

This specimen was lot 997 in Jean Elsen sale 137 (Brussels, June 2018), where it sold for €500 (about US$696 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,

"FRANCE, Royaume, Louis XIV (1643-1715), AR demi-écu à la mèche longue, 1652AR, Arras. Frappe médaille. D/ B. enfantin l., dr. et cuir. à d. R/ Ecu de France couronné. Différent: petit rat. Très rare Stries d'ajustage et légères traces de corrosion. Très Beau à Superbe. (kingdom of France, Louis XIV, 1643-1715, silver half écu of the long lock of 1652, Arras mint, medal rotation. Obverse: laureate, draped and armored infant bust right; reverse: crowned arms of France, privy mark: rat. Very rare, adjustment marks and light traces of corrosion, Very fine to extremely fine.)"

Shown is a half écu a la mèche longue from early in the reign of Louis XIV. It was struck at the Arras mint (mintmark "AR") which produced this type 1646-53, 1655-56. The type was struck in large quantities 1646-60 and varies from the earlier half écu a la mèche courte by the length of the lock of hair over the king's ear. Its face value at the time of issue was 30 sols tournois.

Recorded mintage: unknown but a rare date[1].

Specification: 13.72 g, 0.917 fine silver, 31-32 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by Jean Warin or Nicholas Briot, this specimen 13,57 g. Edge lettering would be introduced to the half écu in 1686.

Catalog reference: Dupl-1470; Gad-169; Dr/4 № 527, Dr/2 № 301.

Source:

  • [1]Droulers, Frédéric, Répertoire General des Monnaies de Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610-1792), 4e édition. Paris: AFPN, 2009.
  • Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
  • Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
  • [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 137, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2018.

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