France 1588-C douzain

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This douzain is the first type struck for Henry III (the second type has two lilies and two crowns on the reverse). It was minted at 23 mints 1575-96 and some of the mintages are reported to be in the millions. The issues after 1589 are posthumous. It had a face value of 12 deniers tournois. Sombart reports only two known of this date.

Recorded mintage: est. 158,400.

Specification: 2.39 g, .240 fine silver.

Catalog reference: Sb 4398.

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.

Links to:

• 1587-M douzain aux deux H
• 1588-C double tournois
• 1588-G demi-franc au col plat
• 1588-A demi-franc au col gaufré
• 1588-K demi-franc au col plat
• 1593-Z douzain
• 1595-C douzain aux deux H
• Coins and currency dated 1588
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)