Lorraine 1634 teston KM-55
This specimen was lot 940 in Jean Elsen sale 162 (Brussels, June 2025), where it sold for €160 (about US$222 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, LORRAINE, Duché, Nicolas François (1633-1635), AR teston, 1634. Frappé à Florence par le duc en exil. D/ B. dr. et cuir. à d. R/ Ecu couronné. Rare. Fin de plaque. (France, duchy of Lorraine, Nicholas Francis, 1633-55, silver teston of 1634, struck in Florence by the duke in exile. Obverse: draped and armored bust right; reverse: crowned arms. Rare, edge clip, Fine - Very Fine.)"
The SCWC lists this scarce type for 1634-35. Numista says there is also a 1637. Wikipedia comments, "Nicholas Francis (1609-70), also known as Nicholas II, was briefly Duke of Lorraine and Duke of Bar for a few months in 1634, spanning the time between the abdication of his older brother and his own resignation."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 8.7 g, silver, 30 mm diameter, this specimen 8,51 g.
Catalog reference: KM 55, Flon 707, 1; Saulcy XXVII, 1 var.; coll. Robert 1550 var.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 162: Collection Jacques Druart, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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