France 1555-M teston

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This specimen was lot 1759 in Jean Elsen sale 117 (Brussels, June 2013). This teston was struck at Toulouse. The portrait is of Henry II (r. 1547-59). Milled coinage was experimental in the sixteenth century and would not be generally adopted in France until the reform of 1640-42. This type is listed in Duplessy for 1551-58.

Recorded mintage: est. 243,499, a common date.

Specification: 9.59 g, .899 fine silver, 9,30 g (this specimen).

Catalog reference: Duplessy 983, Sb 4572.

Source:

• Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
• Sombart, Stéphan, Franciae IV: Catalogue des Monnaies Royales Françaises de François Ier à Henri IV (1540-1610), Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 1997.

• Elsen, Philippe, Vente Publique 117: Collection Jean-Jacques Symoens, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses fils, S.A., 2013.

Link to:

• 1552-A teston
• 1554-A teston
• 1555-D demi-teston
• 1555-L demi-teston
• 1555-H teston
• 1555-L teston
• 1557-C demi-teston
• 1559-K teston
• 1560-M teston
• Coins and currency dated 1555
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)