Metz 1639 1/4 thaler
This specimen was lot 779 in Jean Elsen sale 135 (Brussels, December 2017), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, METZ, Ville, AR quart de Taler au saint Etienne, 1639. D/ B. nimbé et dr. de saint Etienne à g. R/ Ecu échancré de la ville dans un polylobe orné. De la plus haute rareté Belle patine. Très Beau. (France, city of Metz, silver quarter thaler of St. Etienne of 1639. Obverse: haloed and robed bust of the saint to left; reverse: ornate arms of the city in a polylobe. Very rare, nice toning, Very Fine.)"
The bishop and city of Metz both issued coins but the town was under French occupation from the mid-1500's, which occupation was formally recognized by the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. This type is listed for 1640 only.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 7,07 g.
Catalog reference: KM 35 (unlisted date), Flon cfr 740, 2 (1638); coll. Robert cfr 829 (1640); coll. Monnier cfr 1082 (1640).
- 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 135, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2017.
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