France 1560-D 1/2 teston

Jean Elsen sale 145, lot 1073

This specimen was lot 1073 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it sold for €170 (about US$242 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"FRANCE, Royaume, François II (1559-1560), AR demi-teston, 1560D, Lyon. 2e type. A l'effigie et au titre de son père Henri II. D/ B. cuir. à d. M en fin de légende. R/ Ecu couronné, entre deux H couronnés. M en fin de légende. presque Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Francis II, 1559-60, silver half teston of 1560, Lyon mint, second type, struck with the head of and in the name of his father Henry II. Obverse: armored bust right; reverse: crowned arms between two crowned "H's", "M" at the end of the legend. about Very Fine.)"

This type had a value of 5 sols, 8 deniers tournois and was struck 1559-60. It is much less often seen than its larger sister, the teston. No coinage exists with François' portrait; Henry's bust was used until 1562.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 4.79 g, 0.899 fine silver, this specimen 4,70 g.

Catalog reference: Dupl-1032; Ci. 1333; Laf. 866.

Source:

• ^[2]Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
• 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 145, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.

Link to:

• 1560-M demi-teston
• 1560-M teston
• 1560-Z teston du Dauphiné
• France 1560-G 2 henri d'or
• 1562-L teston
• Coins and currency dated 1560
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)