France 1557-C 1/2 teston

Jean Elsen sale 134, lot 1677

This specimen was lot 1677 in Jean Elsen sale 134 (Brussels, September 2017), where it sold for €220 (about US$311 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"FRANCE, Royaume, Henri II (1547-1559), AR demi-teston, 1557C, Saint-Lô. 2e type. D/ B. cuir. à d., t. nue. R/ Ecu de France couronné, entre deux H couronnés. Rare. presque Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Henry II, 1547-59, silver half teston of 1557, St. Lo mint, second type. Obverse: armored and draped bust right with bare head; reverse: crowned arms of France between two crowned "H's". Rare, about very fine.)"

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 with a face value of 5 sols, 8 deniers tournois. It is much scarcer than the teston.

Recorded mintage: 18,360 (including the more common teston), a rare date.

Specification: 4.79 g, .899 fine silver, this specimen 4,13 g.

Catalog reference: Dupl-984; Ci. 1290; Laf. 822, Sb 4560.

Source:

• 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.
• Sombart, Stéphan, Franciae IV: Catalogue des Monnaies Royales Françaises de François Ier à Henri IV (1540-1610), Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 1997.
• ^[1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 134, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2017.

Link to:

• 1556-M teston
• 1557-T douzain aux croissants
• 1557-M demi-teston
• 1557-M teston à la tête nue, 5ème type
• 1557-N henri d'or
• 1557-B double henri d'or
• Coins and currency dated 1557
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)