France 1715-& 1/2 ecu

Sincona sale 73, lot 1221

This specimen was lot 1221 in Sincona sale 73 (Zurich, November 2021), where it sold for 140 CHF (about US$180 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"FRANCE | Kingdom. Louis XIV. 1643-1715. 1/2 Ecu aux trois couronnes 1715 &, Aix. Sehr schön. (kingdom of France, Louis XIV, 1643-1715, half écu of the three crowns of 1715, Amiens mint. Very fine.)"

This type, called the demi-écu aux trois couronnes, was struck 1709-15 in large quantities, and is the last half écu to bear the bust of Louis XIV. It was succeeded by the demi-écu vertugadin of Louis XV. Gadoury prices this date from Aix as R4 (very rare). The SCWC has deleted this type entirely from its listings.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 15.30 g, .917 fine silver, 31-33 mm diameter, edge lettered DOMINE SALVUM FAC REGEM, designed by Joseph Roëttiers, this specimen 15.19 g.

Catalog reference: Dupl-1569; Ci-1938; Gad-199; Dr/4 no. 632, Dr/2 no. 452, KM 382.

Source:

• Droulers, Frédéric, Répertoire General des Monnaies de Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610-1792), 4e édition. Paris: AFPN, 2009.
• Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
• Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Royales Françaises, 1610-1792, 5me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2018.
• ^[1]Richter, Jurg, Sincona sale 73: World Coins and Medals, Bullion Auction and World Banknotes, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2021.

Link to:

• 1714-X demi-écu aux trois couronnes
• 1715-K dixième d'écu aux trois couronnes
• 1715-W dixième d'écu aux trois couronnes
• 1715-A quart d'écu aux trois couronnes
• 1715-A écu vertugadin
• 1715-D écu aux trois couronnes
• 1715-A louis d'or au soleil
• Coins and currency dated 1715
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)