Lorraine 1638 teston
This specimen was lot 32849 in Heritage sale 3073 (Chicago, April 2019), where it sold for $360. The catalog description[1] noted, "Lorraine. Charles IV Teston 1638 AU58+ NGC, Romarti mint. A veritably incredible specimen, this only-certified example of the type blooms with a quality that is likely to remain unparalleled for many years to come. The strike is sharp and exacting, leaving not a curl unnoted or a rivet in the duke's armor undefined, with the surfaces fully in bloom with satiny luster. A small, curved mint-made clip is noted at 6 o'clock, but otherwise very little is left to be desired, and a Mint State designation seems very nearly in order. From the Engelen Collection of World Coinage." 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. This teston, while scarce, was struck 1638-39 when Lorraine was under French occupation and the duke in exile.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 9 g, silver, this specimen 8.82 g.
Catalog reference: KM 56 (Karl III), de Saulcy-Plate XXVII, 4.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3073, featuring the Lake County Collection of British coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
Link to:
- 1635 teston, Francis II
- Lorraine 1666 1/2 teston Charles IV
- Lorraine 1669 teston Charles IV
- Coins and currency dated 1638
- return to coins of Lorraine