Nevers and Rethel 1614 ecu Dav-3833
This specimen was lot 1155 in Jean Elsen sale 143 (Brussels, December 2019), where it sold for €750 (about US$979 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ARCHES, Principauté, Charles Ier de Gonzague (1601-1637), AR écu de 30 sols, 1614, Charleville. D/ Aigle éployée et couronné, un écu au soleil sur la poitrine. En dessous: 1614- XXX. R/ Ecu couronné, dans un cartouche orné. Rare Belle patine. Très Beau. (principality of Arches, Charles of Gonzaga, 1601-37, silver écu of thirty sols, 1614, Charleville mint. Obverse: crowned eagle displayed, supporting arms on its breast, date and value below; reverse: crowned arms in an ornate cartouche. Rare, Very Fine.)"
The county of Rethel and the duchy of Nevers, located in northeast France, were the heritage of the dukes of Mantua, who struck coins for the region until 1653. The écus are generally rare but this one is only scarce.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 17,54 g.
Catalog reference: P.A. 6124 var.; De Mey M24; Dav-3833, KM 26.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, Vente Publique 143, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2019.
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