France 1721-R 1/3 ecu

Heritage sale 61259, lot 99088

This specimen was lot 99088 in Heritage sale 61259 (Dallas, TX, February 2022), where it sold for $1,320. The catalog description^[1] noted, "France: Louis XV 1/3 Ecu 1721-R MS65 NGC, Orleans mint. 1/3 Ecu de France. Flan Neuf. Wholly mesmerizing and one of just two Gem Mint State 1/3 Ecus from all of Louis XV's prolific reign, creating a scarce opportunity to own one of the finest examples across an entire denomination. Veiled in an abundantly pleasing cabinet tone and elevated by a gracious mint luster, we anticipate fervent bidding from quality-minded collectors." The type was struck 1720-23 in large numbers while the adventurer John Law dominated the French government. Many were struck over petit Louis d'argent struck in 1720. Worth 3 livres on its introduction, it was reduced in steps to 1 livre 6 sols 8 deniers in September 1724.

Recorded mintage: 671,618 fn plus 408,267 rf^[2], a better date despite the large mintage.

Specification: 8.15 g, 0.917 fine silver, 26-28 mm diameter, reeded edge, designed by Norbert Roëttiers.

Catalog reference: Dr/2 № 568A, Dr/4 № 832A, KM 457.18, Gad-306 (R), Dup-1667.

Source:

^[2]Droulers, Frédéric, Répertoire General des Monnaies de Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610-1792), 4e édition. Paris: AFPN, 2009.
Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Royales Françaises, 1610-1792, 5me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2018.
Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
^[1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, The Long Island Collection of French Coins Showcase Auction #61259, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2022.

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France 1721-R 1/3 ecu

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