Lorraine (1496-1508) 1/2 gros
This specimen was lot 758 in Jean Elsen sale 151 (Brussels, June 2022), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, LORRAINE, Duché, René II (1473-1508), AR demi-gros (quart de plaque), 1496-1508, Nancy. D/ Ecu couronné, parti Lorraine et Bar. R/ Epée en pal. Avec IN IENCEIO (sic) en fin de légende. Légère faiblesse de frappe. Très Beau. (France, duchy of Lorraine, René II, 1473-1508, silver half groat or quarter plack, c. 1496-1508, Nancy mint. Obverse: crowned impaled arms of Lorraine and Bar; reverse: sword. Slightly weakly struck. Very Fine.)"
Altho the duke doubtless spoke French, he did not consider himself a subject of the king of France but rather of the emperor. The province would not fall under French domination until after the Thirty Years War and was not annexed until the death of the last duke in 1766. Roberts notes, "The double gros, often termed a plaque, rose in value from 32 to 48 deniers in the late 15th century and became equal to 3 'gros de compte' of 16 deniers each." This coin shows the duke's title of "REX:SICIL:" (king of Sicily), a claim he never was able to make good.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver. This specimen is 1,05 g.
Catalog reference: Flon 567, 43 var.; Saulcy XII, 7 var., Roberts-9431.
- 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 151: Collection Paul Witte, Monnaies de Brabant, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
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