France 1771-L ecu
This specimen was lot 30499 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $558.13. The catalog description[1] noted, "Louis XV Ecu 1771-L, Bayonne mint, AU58 NGC. An original piece with silvery-gray toning and underlying luster. The surfaces display haymarking on the obverse and faint adjustment marks on the reverse." This coin, called a écu à la vieille tête, was the French equivalent of a dollar. The type was struck 1770-74 and is recorded for fourteen mints. The type is common, despite its short run, but usually comes badly made so choice specimens bring a premium. The 1771-L from the Bayonne mint is only slightly less common than the type dates (1772-L, 1773-L, 1774-A, 1774-L).
Recorded mintage: unknown but a common date.
Specification: 29.49 g, .917 fine silver, 39-42 mm diameter, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: Dr/2 no. 589, Dr/4 no. 589, KM 551.9, Dav-1332.
- Droulers, Frédéric, Répertoire General des Monnaies de Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610-1792), 4e édition. Paris: AFPN, 2009.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Stuart Levine and Bruce Lorich, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3029, featuring Selections from the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part III, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
Link to:
- 1771-CC sol
- 1771-T demi-écu à la vieille tête
- 1771-A écu à la vieille tête
- 1771-AA écu à la vieille tête
- 1771-H écu à la vieille tête
- 1771-A double louis d'or à la vieille tête
- 1771-D double louis d'or au bandeau
- 1772-A écu à la vieille tête
- 1773-W 2 louis d'or à la vieille tête
- Coins and currency dated 1771
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)