Lorraine (1545-56) teston
This specimen was lot 1097 in Jean Elsen sale 126 (Brussels, September 2015), where it sold for €170 (about US$227 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, LORRAINE, Charles III (1545-1608), AR teston, s.d. (1545-1556), Nancy. D/ B. enfantin à d., cuir. et couronné. R/ Ecu couronné. Très Beau. (duchy of Lorraine, Charles III (1545-1608), undated silver teston, Nancy mint. Obverse: crowned, draped and armored young bust; reverse: crowned arms. Very fine.)"
In the sixteenth century, duke Karl considered himself a subject of the German emperor; only in Louis XIV's time did Lorraine fall into the French sphere of influence and it wasn't annexed to France until 1766. As this coin is undated, we have filed it under the issues of 1545, the year Karl began his rule; other testons show a bearded bust. Better cataloguing is needed.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 8,65 g.
Catalog reference: KM 3, B. 1527; Saulcy XIX, 7; coll. Robert 1456.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- 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 126, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2015.
Link to:
- Lorraine 1515 florin Fr-142
- Lorraine 1545 teston François Ier
- Lorraine (1574-80) teston mature bust
- Lorraine (1545-1608) teston old bust
- Coins and currency dated 1545
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)