France 1771-H ecu

Heritage sale 3064, lot 30768

This specimen was lot 30768 in Heritage sale 3064 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $4,080. The catalog description^[2] noted, "Louis XV Ecu 1771-H MS63 NGC, La Rochelle mint. Obv. Laureate bust of Louis XV left. Rev. Crowned arms of France within branches. The strike is superb and the surfaces display only a few small marks that do not detract from the stunning overall appearance. Both sides have silver-gray patina, with traces of golden color around the peripheries, and sparkling underlying mint luster. An extremely rare issue and the finest of only two examples certified by NGC and PCGS combined." This coin, called an écu à la vieille tête, was the French equivalent of a dollar. The type was struck 1770-74 and is recorded for fourteen mints. The type is common, despite its short run, but usually comes badly made so choice specimens bring a premium.

Recorded mintage: unknown but few^[1].

Specification: 29.49 g, 0.917 fine silver, 39-42 mm diameter, lettered edge.

Catalog reference: Dr/4 № 821, Dr/2 № 589, Dav-1332; KM-551.6; Gad-322.

Source:

^[1]Droulers, Frédéric, Répertoire General des Monnaies de Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610-1792), 4e édition. Paris: AFPN, 2009.
Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Royales Françaises, 1610-1792, 5me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2018.
Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
^[2]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3064, featuring the Doug Robins Collection of Canadian Tokens, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.

Link to:

France 1771-H ecu

Navigation menu

Search