France 1772-D ecu

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Jean Elsen sale 147, lot 1597

This specimen was lot 1597 in Jean Elsen sale 147 (Brussels, June 2021), where it sold for €150 (about US$219 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,

"FRANCE, Royaume, Louis XV (1715-1774), AR écu à la vieille tête, 1772D, Lyon. D/ T. l. à g. R/ Ecu de France couronné, entre deux rameaux d'olivier. Légères traces d'ajustage. Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Louis XV, 1715-74, silver écu of the old head of 1772, Lyon mint. Obverse: laureate head left; reverse: crowned arms of France between two olive branches. Light adjustment marks, Very Fine.)"

This coin, called a 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. This is a common date.

Recorded mintage: unknown but a common date.

Specification: 29.49 g, 0.917 fine silver, 39-42 mm diameter, lettered edge, this specimen 29,00 g.

Catalog reference: Dupl-1685; Ci., 2129; Gad-323. Dr/2 № 589, Dr/4 № 821, KM 551.1, Dav-1332.

Source:

  • Droulers, Frédéric, Répertoire General des Monnaies de Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610-1792), 4e édition. Paris: AFPN, 2009.
  • Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
  • Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
  • [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 147: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.

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