Viennois (1455) gros
This specimen was lot 900 in Jean Elsen sale 163 (Brussels, November 2025), where it sold for €600 (about US$693 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, DAUPHINÉ, Louis de France, héritier de Charles VII (1440-1456), AR gros de roi (gros au dauphin couché), vers 1455, Crémieu (point 1er). D/ LVDOVICVS DALPHS VIENENSIS Écu écartelé de France et Dauphiné, sous un dauphin. R/ SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTVM Croix fleuronnée. Très rare. Légèrement ébréché. Belle patine. Provient du Crédit de la Bourse, Paris. (kingdom of France, dauphins of Viennois, Louis of France, crown prince of Charles VII, 1440-56, silver gros, circa 1455, Crémieu mint. Obverse: quartered arms of France and Dauphiny, under a dolphin; reverse: floriate cross. Very rare, lightly chipped, nice patina. Very Fine.)"
Louis, after a long career as a troublemaker, ruled as king of France 1461-83. The Viennois (also known as Dauphiné) had been ruled by an independent dynasty since the early 1300's. Louis' accession ended the province's independence but separate coinage was issued for it until the reign of Charles IX (1560-74).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen is 3,28 g.
Catalog reference: B. 1095; P.A. 4981; D. 2514.
- 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 163, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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