Metz (1621-52) bugne
This specimen was lot 55 in Jean Elsen sale 146 (Brussels, November 2020), where it sold for €190 (about US$277 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
" FRANCE, METZ, Henri de Bourbon-Verneuil (1612-1652), billon bugne, après 1621, Vic-sur-Seille. D/ Ecu de Bourbon couronné, sous une mitre et une crosse. R/ MONETA NOVA VICENSIS Grande lettre H couronnée. Rare Belle patine. Très Beau. Henri de Bourbon-Verneuil ne fut jamais ordonné prêtre et ne se rendit jamais dans son évêché, qui fut administré par le chapitre métropolitain jusqu'à sa majorité en 1621. Il est le dernier évêque qui fit battre monnaie. En 1652, il résigna l'évêché de Metz en faveur du cardinal Mazarin. (bishopric of Metz, Henri de Bourbon-Verneuil, 1612-52, billon bugne, after 1621, Vic-sur-Seille mint. Obverse: crowned arms of Bourbon under a miter and a cross; reverse: large crowned "H". Rare, nice patina, Very Fine. Henry was never ordained priest and never took over his bishopric, which was administered by the metropolitan chapter until his majority in 1621. He is the last bishop to strike coins. In 1652, he resigned his seat in favor of Cardinal Mazarin.)"
The town of Metz was occupied by the French in the 1550's but was not annexed until the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. If this coin contains any silver, it's not much. Regarding Henry, Wikipedia notes,
"Gaston Henri de Bourbon, Duke of Verneuil (3 November 1601 – 28 May 1682), was the illegitimate son of King Henry IV of France and his mistress, Catherine Henriette de Balzac d'Entragues. He was the bishop of Metz from 1612 to 1652, despite not being ordained. In his early 50s he was displaced and had a career as a diplomat. Henri was born in the Château de Vincennes on 3 November 1601. His sister was Gabrielle Angelique, called Mlle de Verneuil (1603–1627), who married Bernard de Nogaret de La Valette. He was declared legitimate in 1603, at the age of two. His half siblings included King Louis XIII of France, Duchess of Savoy and Duke of Vendôme.
The bishopric of Metz was intended for him from infancy, but when Bishop Charles of Lorraine died in 1607, Pope Paul V refused to appoint a young child of seven. The House of Lorraine had controlled the see since 1484, usually with a family member as bishop, which Paris was keen to bring to an end. The elderly Anne d'Escars de Givry, bishop of Lisieux, was appointed as placeholder bishop, and Henri was given an expectative appointment, in effect a reservation, plus a pension from the revenues, until he reached adult age. Pope Paul V agreed to appoint him in 1612, after the death of d'Escars, at the request of Louis XIII, despite Henri being only 11 and not ordained. He was never ordained and never resided at Metz, appointing deputies to run diocesan affairs.
He resigned as bishop in favour of Cardinal Mazarin in 1652, a move Pope Innocent X did not recognize. He was declared dismissed by Pope Alexander VII in 1659. He was knighted on 31 December 1661 and created duke of Verneuil in 1663. In 1665 he became ambassador to England and in 1666 was made governor of Languedoc. He married Charlotte (1622-1704), daughter of the chancellor Pierre Séguier and widow of Maximilien François de Bethune, 2nd Duke of Sully (1614–1661), on 29 October 1668, when he was 67 and she 46. He died without issue on 28 May 1682 at Château de Verneuil."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: billon, this specimen 0,70 g.
Catalog reference: Flon 769, 4; coll. Robert 714; Robert & Serrure 237, 4.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 146: Collection Anthony Lorrain Monnaies de Metz, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
Link to:
- bishopric of Metz (1552-55) bugne
- Metz 1621 3 gros = ¼ franc
- Metz 1621 6 gros = ½ franc
- Metz 1623 6 gros = ½ franc
- 1623 florin d'or au saint Etienne
- Coins and currency dated 1621
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)