France 1654-9 1/2 ecu
This specimen was lot 10211 in Ponterio sale 169 (Baltimore, November 2012), where it sold for $382. The catalog description[2] noted, "FRANCE. 1/2 Ecu, 1654-59. Rennes Mint. Louis XIV. Lightly toned. Lustrous. ALMOST UNCIRCULATED. From the Estate of Michael K. Ringo." The specimen shown is a demi-écu à la mèche longue (half écu of the long lock) struck in Rennes during the minority of Louis XIV of France (r. 1643-1715). This is a "long lock" variety. The "short lock" variety, struck 1643-52, is distinguished by the shorter lock of hair growing in front of the young king's ear. This date is scarce and is priced in Droulers[1] about double the common date such as 1649-A.
Recorded mintage: 36,591.
Specification: 13.72 g, 0.917 fine silver, 31-32 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by Jean Warin.
Catalog reference: Gad-169, Dr/4 № 527, Dr/2 № 301, KM-164.24.
- [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.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Royales Françaises, 1610-1792, 5me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2018.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [2]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 169: The November 2012 Baltimore Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers, LLC, 2012.
Link to:
- 1644-A demi-écu à la mèche courte
- 1654-A liard de France au L couronné
- 1654-C demi-écu à la mèche longue
- 1654-H demi-écu à la mèche longue
- 1654-Y demi-écu à la mèche longue
- 1654-L écu à la mèche longue
- 1654-B louis d'or à la mèche longue
- 1654-K louis d'or à la mèche longue
- 1656-L demi-écu à la mèche longue
- Coins and currency dated 1654
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)