Metz 1621 6 gros
This specimen was lot 107 in Jean Elsen sale 146 (Brussels, November 2020), where it sold for €140 (about US$204 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, METZ, Ville, AR demi-franc (6 gros), 1621. D/ B. nimbé de saint Etienne à g. La date à l'exergue. R/ Ecu de la ville dans un cartouche orné. La valeur à l'exergue. Rare. Très Beau. Le demi-franc messin fut frappé de 1621 à 1660, au cours de 6 gros. Provient de la collection Teitgen, Paris, 26-28 octobre 2015, 856. (city of Metz, silver half franc of six groats of 1621. Obverse: nimbate bust of St. Etienne to left, date in the exergue; reverse: arms of the town in a cartouche, value below. Rare, Very Fine. The Metz half franc was struck 1621-60 at the value of six groats.)"
The town of Metz was occupied by the French in the 1550's but was not annexed until the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. This rare type is listed in the SCWC for 1611-17, 1623, 1641.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 3,63 g.
Catalog reference: Flon 747, 1 var.; coll. Robert 845, KM 4.
- 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 146: Collection Anthony Lorrain Monnaies de Metz, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
Link to:
- Metz 1619 12 gros = franc
- Metz (1620-45) goldgulden Fr-164
- bishopric of Metz (1621-52) bugne
- Metz 1621 3 gros = ¼ franc
- Metz 1623 6 gros = ½ franc
- 1624 florin d'or au saint Etienne
- Coins and currency dated 1621
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)