France 1685-D 1/2 ecu
This specimen was lot 1793 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €1,100 (about US$1,532 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Louis XIV (1643-1715), AR demi-écu à la cravate, 1685 D, Lyon. 2e type. D/ B. dr. et cuir. à d., portant une perruque et une longue cravate brodée. R/ Écu de France couronné. Très rare. Nettoyé. Fines griffes. Provient de Heidelberger Münzhandlung, vente 63, 15 mai 2014, 321. Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Louis XIV, 1643-1715, silver half écu of the necktie of 1685, Lyon mint, second type. Obverse: draped and armored bust right, wearing an embroidered cravat; reverse: crowned arms of France. Very rare, cleaned, hairlines, Very Fine.)"
This is a a rare type struck 1684-86 at Lyon. The demi-écu de Flandre, while also expensive, is much more available.
Recorded mintage: 23,950[2].
Specification: 13.72 g, 0.917 fine silver, plain edge, this specimen 13,51 g.
Catalog reference: KM 250.3, Dr/4 № 578, Dr/2 № 385, Dupl. 1501; Gad-214.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [2]Droulers, Frédéric, Répertoire General des Monnaies de Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610-1792), 2nd édition. Paris: AFPN, 1998.
- 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, et al., Vente Publique 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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