France 1684 sol
This specimen was lot 1767 in Jean Elsen sale 117 (Brussels, June 2013), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Louis XIV (1643-1715), AR sol de Strasbourg, 1684, Droit: Fleur de lis. Revers: Valeur et date dans le champ. Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Louis XIV (1643-1715), silver sol of Strasbourg, 1684. Obverse: fleur-de-lys; reverse: value and date in field. Very fine.)"
This sol de Strasbourg is a rather exotic product of the Strasbourg mint, not long after it was absorbed into the kingdom of France. It was accompanied by a two sols and four sols. It was likely intended to compete with billon kreuzers and groschen then circulating in western Germany as there is no mention of Louis XIV or France on the coin. The obverse legend, "MONE[TA] NOV[A] ARGENTINEN[SIS]," means "new silver coin;" the reverse legend, "GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO," is the familiar "Glory to God in the highest."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 0.83 g, .437 fine silver, 17 mm approximate diameter.
Catalog reference: Dupl., 1599; Ciani-2054; Gad-87, Dr/4 № 776, Dr/2 № 508.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, Vente Publique 117: Collection Jean-Jacques Symoens, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses fils, S.A., 2013.
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