France 1607-D double tournois

CNG Lissner sale, lot 245

This specimen was lot 245 in Classical Numismatic Group's sale of the Lissner Collection (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $453.75. The catalog description^[1] noted, "FRANCE, Royal. Henri IV le Grand (the Great). 1589–1610. CU Double tournois. Lyon mint. Dated 1607 D. In NGC encapsulation graded MS 62 BN. Deep brown patina with a hint of red coming through. Wonderful strike. Only coin of this date graded. Purchased from Superior Stamp & Coin, December 1973." The specimen shown is a double tournois of Henry IV (r. 1589-1610) struck by the hammer at the Lyon mint (mintmark "D") in 1607. These coins were produced by private contractors in large quantities at a profusion of mints and in many varieties until the 1640's. The issues of Henry IV were reasonable compared to those of the regency of Louis XIII, when the queen-mother sold production contracts to many of her supporters. The face value was two deniers.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 3.13 g, copper, this specimen 20 mm diameter, 2.74 g, 6h axis.

Catalog reference: Duplessy 1273; Ciani –; KM 16.2 var. (unlisted date).

Source:

• Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
• Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
• ^[1]Teller, M. Louis, and Victor England, Jr., The Richard Lissner Collection, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, 2014.

Link to:

• 1604-A double tournois
• 1607-Z denier tournois
• 1607-C quart d'écu
• 1607-A demi-franc, piéfort
• 1607-A franc, quadruple piefort
• 1608-A double tournois
• Coins and currency dated 1607
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)