Nevers and Rethel 1609 6 blancs
This specimen was lot 1002 in Jean Elsen sale 132 (Brussels, March 2017), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, NEVERS ET RETHEL, Charles Ier de Gonzague (1601-1637), Cu six blancs (huitième d'écu), 1609, Charleville. Au titre de prince d'Arches. D/ Croix ornée, cantonnée de quatre lis. R/ Ecu couronné. Très rare. Beau à Très Beau. (France, duchy of Nevers-Rethel, Charles of Gonzaga (1601-37), copper six blancs (eighth écu) of 1609, Charleville mint, in the name of the prince of Arches. Obverse: ornate cross, four fleurs-de-lys in the fields; reverse: crowned arms. Very rare, very fine.)"
The Gonzagas held the duchy as a fief from the king of France until Charles, seeking money to recapture the duchy of Mantua, sold his rights to Cardinal Mazarin in 1663. The copper double tournois and liards are common but the silver issues are all rare.
Reported Mintage: unknown but rare.
Specification: silver or billon, this specimen 3,00 g.
Catalog reference: KM 15 (catalogued as a half escalin), P.A. 6136; De Mey M35.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 132, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2017.
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