Metz 1583 1/2 liard

Jean Elsen sale 146, lot 94

This specimen was lot 94 in Jean Elsen sale 146 (Brussels, November 2020), where it sold for €700 (about US$1,020 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"FRANCE, METZ, Ville, Billon demi-liard, 1583. D/ OCTAVA SOLIDI 1583 Ecu de la ville. R/ MONETA METENSIS Croix cantonnée de quatre étoiles, Extrêmement rare. presque Très Beau. Provient de la collection de l'abbé de Jobal, Paris, 30 mai 2015, 290. (city of Metz, billon half liard of 1583. Obverse: city arms; reverse: cross cantonned with four stars. Extremely rare, about Very Fine.)"

The town of Metz was occupied by the French in the 1550's but was not annexed until the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: billon, this specimen 0,66 g.

Catalog reference: Flon 755, 1 var. (non répertorié); coll. Robert 857 var.

Source:

• ^[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:

• Metz 1590 denier
• Coins and currency dated 1583
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)