France 1584-M 1/2 franc
This specimen was lot 1192 in Jean Elsen sale 159 (Brussels, June 2024), where it sold for €130 (about US$167 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Royaume, Henri III (1574-1589), AR demi-franc au col plat, 1584 M, Toulouse. D/ B. l. et cuir. à d. R/ Croix feuillue et fleurdelisée, H en coeur. Très Beau. (kingdom of France, Henry III, 1574-89, silver half franc of the flat collar of 1584, Toulouse mint. Obverse: laureate and armored bust right; reverse: leafed and floriate cross with an "H" at the center. Very fine.)"
This demi-franc d'argent had a face value of ten sols tournois and was struck 1575-89. The franc d'argent was the target of heavy counterfeiting and was terminated in 1586; the demi-franc survived until 1641.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7.09 g, 0.833 fine silver; this specimen 7,01 g.
Catalog reference: Sb 4716 (none reported), Dupl-1131; Ci. 1430; Laf. 971.
- 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 159, Collection Harry Dewit, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
Link to:
- 1582-M demi-franc au col plat
- 1584-M double sol parisis
- 1584-F quart d'écu
- 1584-M franc au col fraisé
- 1584-A écu d'or au soleil
- 1587-A demi-franc au col gaufré
- 1587-B demi-franc au col plat
- 1587-G demi-franc au col plat
- 1587-H demi-franc au col plat
- 1587-O demi-franc au col plat
- 1587-X demi-franc au col plat
- Coins and currency dated 1584
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)