France 1577-A 1/2 teston

Sincona sale 76, lot 1084

This specimen was lot 1084 in Sincona sale 76 (Zurich, May 2022), where it sold for 7,500 CHF (about US$9,104 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"FRANCE | Kingdom. Henri III. 1574-1589. 1/2 Teston 1577 A, Paris (moulin des Etuves). Piéfort. Mit Randschrift: PACI ° QVIETI ° AC ° FOELICITATI ° PVBLICAE ° + Äusserst selten. Gutes vorzüglich. NGC AU55. Feine Patina. (kingdom of France, Henry III, 1574-89, half teston of 1577, Paris mint, Etuves workshop. piedfort, lettered edge, Extremely rare, Good extremely fine, Nicely toned.)"

Sombart reports four different half testons for Henry III before production was terminated in 1577. None match this piefort which, with its lettered edge, was struck on a press and not by the hammer. The teston, victim of extensive counterfeiting, was superseded by the quart d'écu after 1578. This is a pattern or presentation piece.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 4.79 g, 0.899 fine silver. This specimen is 19.02 g.

Catalog reference: Duplessy -. Lafaurie 969 b. Ciani 1419.

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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 76, The Annemarie and Gerd Köhlmoos Collection, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.

Link to:

• 1576-A teston
• 1576-G teston
• 1576-H teston
• 1576-M teston
• 1577-E demi-franc
• 1577-A piedfort franc au col plat
• 1577-I franc au col plat
• 1577-B écu d'or au soleil
• Coins and currency dated 1577
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)