France 1550-H douzain

Stack's Bowers November 2023 Collector's Choice sale, lot 73311

This specimen was lot 73311 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2023), where it sold for $168. The catalog description^[1] noted, "FRANCE. Douzan, 1550-H. La Rochelle Mint. Henry II. NGC MS-62. A phenomenal Mint State example, delivering a rich eye appeal and strong charm throughout." This douzain aux croissants was a billon coin issued in large numbers during the reign of Henry II (r. 1547-59). This specimen is from the La Rochelle mint. Milled coinage was experimental in the sixteenth century and would not be generally adopted in France until the reform of 1640-42. This type had a face value of twelve deniers tournois, a denomination later occupied by the copper sou. It is the most common silver coin from this reign.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 2.62-2.68 g, .292 fine silver.

Catalog reference: Dupl-997, Sb-4380 (limonite examples reported).

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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, November 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.

Link to:

• (1547-49)-M douzain à la croisette
• 1550-A gros de Nesle
• 1550-F douzain aux croissants
• 1550-K douzain aux croissants
• 1550-D double henri d'or
• 1551-M douzain aux croissants
• 1551-T douzain aux croissants
• Coins and currency dated 1550
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)