Lorraine (1431-53) gros
This specimen was lot 906 in Jean Elsen sale 163 (Brussels, November 2025), where it sold for €65 (about US$75 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, LORRAINE, Duché, René Ier d'Anjou (1431-1453), AR gros, Nancy. Alérion initial au revers. D/ Écu à cinq quartiers, posé sur une épée en pal. R/ Croix de Lorraine. (kingdom of France, duchy of Lorraine, René of Anjou, 1431-53, silver groat, Nancy mint. A wing at the start of the reverse legend. Obverse: shield of five quarters over a sword pointing down; reverse: cross of Lorraine. Very Fine.)
A similar issue was struck for the duchy of Bar with a lily for a mintmark. The native dynasty of the duchy of Bar fell extinct in 1430 and title passed to René of Anjou. He and his wife inherited Lorraine in 1431 and in 1506 the two duchies were declared inseparable. During René's checkered career, he attempted to seize Naples and Aragon. The king of France left the province alone until the mid-seventeenth century, when Richelieu desired to add it to the kingdom. Interference and occupation were frequent until both Lorraine and Bar passed to France in 1766.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.7-2.2 g, silver, this specimen is 2,10 g.
Catalog reference: Flon 435, 9; Saulcy X, 13; coll. Robert 1369.
- Levinson, Robert, The Early Dated Coins of Europe, 1234-1500: An Illustrated Catalogue and Guide to dated medieval coinage. Clifton, NJ: Coin & Currency Institute, 2007.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- van Gelder, H. Enno, and Marcel Hoc, Les Monnaies des pays-Bas Bourguignons et Espagnols, 1434-1713, Amsterdam, J. Schulman, 1960, with supplement of 1964.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 163, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
Link to:
- Lorraine (1420-24) 1/4 gros
- Bar (1431-53) gros, René Ier d'Anjou
- Coins and currency dated 1431
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)