Having totally no experience with this coinage (and in general with this period), I recently bought this silver Douzain, which I identified as a Henry II from 1553. The coin looked a bit messy. However, upon close inspection, I noted two different fonts, both on the obverse and reverse: the outer 'medieval font' text reading HENRICVS 2 D.G. FRA[NCORV RE]X F, and the inner 'not so medieval font'text reading SIT NOMEN BENE(DICTUM). Weight 2.41, diameter 26mm. I showed the coin to @AnYangMan, who identified the overstrike as a 15 deniers of Louis XIV (1638-1715). Unfortunately, the year of the overstrike is nog visible, so the timeframe between the first mint (1553) and the second mint could be 85-162 years. I have a couple of questions: 1) how common are these overstrikes? 2) is it possible to pinpoint the date of the overstrike? 3) what would be the references or catalogue entries for these coin(s)? Thanks!
Sorry, for me, the 16th century and later is decidedly the deep end of the pool. This is the first time I even heard of something like this. ...Cool, though....
Thank you, @John Scholefield. Could you elaborate a bit on your thought process, so that I can learn from it? Also, I found about seven similar overstrikes: are they indeed rare? Finally, what would be the reference to the overstrike (i.e. the die used between 1692 - 1705)? Thanks!
Hi - your coin interested me because I had not seen it before, and so I went a searching. It is not particularly uncommen, there are several for sale on Ebay France, and Google images likewise. Overstrikes were done a lot at the French mints at this time. The mint letter and the date are both featured on the obverse overstrike die, but are not clear on your example. The base coin, you are right is a Henri II douzain, but also interesting. The 5 pointed star under the sheild indicates it is from the Chambery mint, (not common) and the date is 1552 (the 2 is inverted as it is in HENRICUS 2).
Again, thank you @John Scholefield. Very interesting. I'll change the date to 1552 and will add the information on the mint. Could you also explain how you pinpointed the date of the overstrike (i.e. 1692-1705)? Thanks!
The dates I give are taken from Duplessy. The obverse Countermark die reads SIT NOMEN DNI BENEDICTVM (date). The counterstriking mint letter is at the centre of the 8Ls on the reverse, possibly O: Riom, on your example.
@John Scholefield: Can't stop myself in time: this is Very impressive --however vicariously. (Sorry no comma on the keyboard got to restart the machine)
C'est un 15 deniers de Louis XIV surfrappé sur d'anciens flan (here un douzain aux croissants de Henri II) de 1692 à 1700 pour l'atelier O et de 1692 à 1696 pour l'atelier B. Vous pouvez trouver toutes les références dans le livre: "Les monnaies des quatre rois Louis, Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610 à1692)" paru en 2011
Thanks all for the interesting information. Also, @Phil French, thanks for providing the catalogue images. Since all the experts have already commented on this thread: what is going on with the obverse of this one? 22-24mm // 1.61g. The reverse is, I think, from Charles IV: however, the obverse is different, e.g. there are two crowns (one at 12 o clock, the other at 8) which is not visible on the coat of arms of this specimen. Any insights again greatly appreciated!
[QUOTE = "Roerbakmix, post: 5219999, membre: 100731"] Merci à tous pour les informations intéressantes. De plus, [USER = 109457] @Phil French [/ USER], merci d'avoir fourni les images du catalogue. Puisque tous les experts ont déjà commenté ce fil: que se passe-t-il avec l'avers de celui-ci? [ATTACH = complet] 1216091 [/ ATTACH] 22 à 24 mm // 1,61 g. L'inverse est, je pense, de Charles IV: cependant, l'avers est différent, par exemple il y a deux couronnes (une à 12 heures, l'autre à 8 heures) qui ne sont pas visibles sur les armoiries de ce spécimen. Toutes les informations sont encore très appréciées! [/ QUOTE] ce sont deux pièces différentes ,pour deux rois différents , la seconde certainement un blanc guenard de Charles VI
Hi [USER = 109457] @Phil French [/ USER]. Sorry, I should have stated it: the second picture is one I found online. The first is my coin. The coins differs from the one I found online:
