Metz 1647 1/2 gros
This specimen was lot 79 in Jean Elsen sale 146 (Brussels, November 2020), where it sold for €110 (about US$160 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, METZ, Ville, AR demi-gros, 1647. D/ Saint Etienne agenouillé à g. entre deux écussons. La date à l'exergue. R/ Croix pattée, cantonnée de quatre étoiles. Double légende sur le tour. Fines griffes. Belle patine. Rare dans cette qualité. Très Beau à Superbe. Provient de la collection de l'abbé de Jobal, Paris, 30 mai 2015, 289. (city of Metz, silver half groat of 1647. Obverse: St. Etienne kneeling between two shields, date below; reverse: cross pattée cantonned with four stars, double legend around. Fine scratches, nice patina, rare in this quality, Very Fine - Extremely 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. This rare type is listed in the SCWC for 1648-52. The mint was closed about 1659.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 0,97 g.
Catalog reference: KM 41, Flon 750, 2; coll. Robert 779.
- 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.
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