France 1698-A 1/2 ecu
This specimen was lot 72188 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Santa Ana, CA, May 2017), where it sold for $399.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. 1/2 Ecu, 1698-A. Paris Mint. Louis XIV (1643-1715). PCGS AU-53 Secure Holder. Bold strike, toned with underlying luster and quite attractive." The specimen shown is an demi-écu aux palmes ("écu with palms") struck in Paris during the reign of Louis XIV. This type was struck 1693-1701 in large quantities, mostly overstriking older demi-écus ("flans reformés"). It was succeeded by the demi-écu aux insignes.
Recorded mintage: 105,777, mostly on new blanks.
Specification: 13.72 g, 0.917 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-295.1; Gad-185; Dupl-1521a; DFW-260, Dr/4 № 618, Dr/2 № 412.
- 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.
- [1]Ponterio, Rick, et al., The May 2017 Collector's Choice Sale, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2017.
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