View source for Metz (1551-52) 2 denier

[[Image:Metz JE146-0033.jpg|550px|thumb|Jean Elsen sale 146, lot 33]]

This specimen was lot 33 in Jean Elsen sale 146 (Brussels, November 2020), where it sold for €160 (about US$233 including buyer's fees). The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, <blockquote>"''[[France|FRANCE]], METZ, Evêché, Robert de Lenoncourt (1552-1555), AR double denier, s.d. (1551-1552), Vic-sur-Seille. D/ + DE LENONCOVRT Croix engrêlée. R/ + IN LABORE QVIES Chiffre du cardinal formé de deux R. Très rare. presque Très Beau. Provient de la collection de l'abbé de Jobal, Paris, 30 mai 2015, 231.'' (bishopric of Metz, Robert de Lenoncourt, 1552-55, undated silver double denier, Vic-sur-Seille mint. Obverse: cross engrailed; reverse: the cardinal's monogram. Very rare, about Very Fine.)"</blockquote> The town of Metz was occupied by the French in the 1550's but was not annexed until the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. If this coin contains any silver, it's not much.

Regarding Robert, Wikipedia notes, <blockquote>"Cardinal de Lenoncourt was granted the diocese of Metz on 22 April 1551 by Pope Julius III, in succession to Cardinal Charles de Guise-Lorraine, which he held until December 1555. He was the first bishop of Metz in sixty-seven years to personally take up his charge. With the Treaty of Chambord in 1552, Metz became a part of France and remained so until 1871. King Henri II himself spent three days in Metz, receiving the fealty of his subjects, and then left the Duke de Guise, François de Guise-Lorraine, as his Lieutenant-General. In January 1552 Cardinal de Lenoncourt convoked a meeting of the Estates-General of Metz, but his actions appeared to the citizens to be an effort to concentrate all the power in the city in his own hands. Their strong reaction compelled the Cardinal to withdraw the Estates to the town of Vic, just east of Nancy. On 10 April he helped to introduce a French army into Metz. He was instrumental in overthrowing the republic which had existed under Charles V in favor of the French, manipulating the elections for the Council by naming candidates and choosing the Maître-Échevin (President) himself. Cardinal de Lenoncourt resumed the coinage of money in Metz, in his own name, in 1553. He then sent a memorandum to the King, in which he requested military assistance. The King sent Marshal de Vieilleville to garrison Metz and Vic, and the Marshal quickly took the entire territory under his control. Cardinal Robert lost everything for which he had been working, and went so far as to seek the aid of the Emperor in trying to eject the French garrison from Metz. In 1556 the citizens of Metz petitioned the King of France for relief from their bishop, but Lenoncourt, who had been in Rome for the second Conclave of 1555, had already been transferred to Embrun. It was perhaps the easiest way to solve the political and military problems created by an overzealous supporter of French interests and his own advantage.</blockquote>

''Recorded mintage:'' unknown.

''Specification:'' silver, this specimen 0,54 g.

''Catalog reference:'' Flon 760, 12; coll. Robert 697; Robert & Serrure 222, 16.

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]'' 
* <sup>[1]</sup>Elsen, Philippe, et al., ''Vente Publique 146: Collection Anthony Lorrain Monnaies de Metz'', Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020. 

''Link to:''
* bishopric of [[Metz 1551 thaler Dav-9559]]
* bishopric of [[Metz (1551-52) 1/2 thaler]]
* bishopric of [[Metz (1552-55) bugne]]
* bishopric of [[Metz (1552-54) florin d'or Fr-165b]]
* bishopric of [[Metz (1621-52) bugne]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1551]]
* return to [[French royal coinage (to 1793)]]

[[Category:Base metal coinage of France]][[Category:Selections from Jean Elsen sale 146]]