Lorraine (1329-46) 1/4 gros
This specimen was lot 937 in Jean Elsen sale 162 (Brussels, June 2025), where it sold for €340 (about US$471 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, LORRAINE, Duché, Raoul (1329-1346), AR quart de gros, Nancy. D/ + :R: DVX: LOTORENGIE Écu dans un trilobe anglé. R/ (trèfle) MONETA: D-E: NANCEI Épée en pal entre deux écussons et deux trèfles. Rare. (France, duchy of Lorraine, Raoul, 1329-46, silver quarter gros, Nancy mint. Obverse: arms within a pointed trilobe; reverse: a sword between two shields and three trefoils. Rare, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
Numista does not show this type but displays a very similar coin without the trefoils around the sword (Flon 404, 15). The duchy of Lorraine, while culturally French, would remain part of the Empire until the eighteenth century. Duke Raoul (Rudolf in German) was killed at the battle of Crécy, aged 26 years, leaving a wife (Marie de Blois) and infant son (Jean Ier).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1 g, silver, this specimen 0,97 g.
Catalog reference: Flon 402, 6; Saulcy V, 3; coll. Robert 1303.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 162: Collection Jacques Druart, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
Link to:
- Lorraine (1346-52) plaque, Marie de Blois
- Coins and currency dated 1329
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)