Navarre 1581 franc
This specimen was lot 1320 in Jean Elsen sale 161 (Brussels, March 2025), where it sold for €160 (about US$208 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, NAVARRE, Henri III (1572-1589), AR franc au col plat, 1581. Au titre d'Henri II (en Béarn). D/ Grand b. l. et cuir. à d. R/ Grand écu parti Navarre-Béarn et Bourbon. Taches au revers. (France, kingdom of Navarre, Henry III, 1572-89, silver franc of the flat collar of 1581, struck in the name of Henry II of Béarn. Obverse: large laureate and armored bust right; reverse: large shield with the impaled arms of Navarre-Béarn and France. Stains on reverse, Very Fine.)"
This type is not listed in Duplessy as this is not a French coin. Henry is entitled "HENRICVS·II·D·G·REX·NAVARRE·" rather than his later title of Henry IV, king of France. The reverse has the motto "GRATIA·DEI·SVM·Q[UE]·SVM·" (Thanks to God, I am who I am.). Henry's assumption of the throne of France would mean the incorporation of Béarn and Navarre into the kingdom but the mints there would issue distinctive types until the end of the ancien régime. This type was struck 1580-83 in imitation of the silver francs of Henry III.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.57 g, 0.833 fine silver, 35.5 mm diameter, this specimen 13,84 g.
Catalog reference: B. 598; P.A. 3479.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 161, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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