This coin is another I found very interesting. After researching I believe it to be Henri III, Minted in Nantes, 1/8 Ecu. Although I can not read the date on the coin, I believe Nantes only minted that particular coin in 1580, 1581, 1583, 1587 & 1589. Obverse: HENRICVS.III.D.G.FRANC.ET.POL.REX. date? Reverse: SIT.NONEM.DOMINI.BENEDICTVM Any confirmation help on this would be great.
I think you're correct, I've started collecting some early English coinage, and also have a few less expensive French and other pieces. Here's one that looks similar to yours for sale now on eBay, of course the real experts will hopefully weigh in - https://www.ebay.com/itm/224512091520?hash=item3445f6a580:g:OPUAAOSwu1dg18oR I also found this on worldcoinsinfo.com - 1/8 ecu (7 sols 6 deniers tournois) 1583 silver SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTVM /VIII HHENRICVS III D G FRANC ET POL REX 1583 Coin value - $50-60
Yes, it does look like mine. I wish I could read the year on mine. Thank you for your help. That is a nice coin. Much more clear than mine. You are all wonderful. Thank you.
Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, How does your collection grow? By leaps and bounds, With all coins found, Or with Ecus laid in a row? Welcome to Coin Talk !! where with Sous in a Coffer, use the help that we offer, and grow your collection to be proud of ! Feel free to post photos and ask questions. We love to help.
I also think the coin is a Henri III. I am not an expert in French coinage but if I remember correctly, he was the only one using title "Franc et Pol" as before he was crowned as king of France he was also king of Poland. I read a book once and enjoyed it very much - written by Dumas and the action is in Henri III's time. Since then I read all the books I could find about that era. Fiction, but this can't stop me from enjoying them! My Henric III, Bayonne mint, year is visible - 1583. Bought it because I wanted a Henri III decent coin. I found, many years ago, when visiting a numismatic show, a very worn Double Tournois in a bin - bought it instantly
Hookman, that made my morning! Thank you so much for that wonderful welcome. I have received so much help from some amazing members already. I'm so glad I found you all!!
Yes amber, that is a lovely coin you found. A big part of the fascination to me is the research of the who, what, and where. I want to know it all. Unfortunately, the coins are not always that forthcoming due to the shape they are in. I'm still going through the box I was left. It's like a little treasure box. I don't know what I'm going to pull out of it next. I'm just taking them out one at a time and researching them. I also love European history.
It is definitely Henri III. POL in the obverse legend is the proof. As ambrOzie says, he was the only French king who was also king of Poland. As the fourth son of Henri II, he did not expect to inherit the French throne and therefore threw his hat into the election of the king in Poland. The king was elected by the nobles and bribery was a big part of every election. Henri was elected in May 1573 at the age of 21. However, his first two brothers François II (King 1550-60) and Louis died at the age of 16 and 1 year 8 months respectively. Then the third brother, Charles IX, who succeeded to the throne in 1560, unexpectedly died of tuberculosis in 1574. As soon as Henri received the news, he secretly fled Poland, abandoning his new kingdom after a reign of 118 days, and returned to France. In 1576 the Poles finally elected a successor, Stefan Bathory of Transylvania, but Henri continued to use the title of King of Poland for the rest of his life. The only complication about an Henri III coin with an illegible date is that some were struck after his assassination in August 1589, thus in the reign of Henri IV, including perhaps 1/8 ecu in 1589 or 1590. They are very rare. The only example of a 1590 1/8 ecu definitely known has the L (= Bayonne) mintmark, although there are unverified references to others. I have difficulty in seeing the mm on your coin but you say it is Nantes (T). Nantes minted your type (with the cross on the obverse with the royal title) in every year from 1578 to 1589. In 1590 Nantes was in the hands of supporters of the rival Catholic candidate to the throne Charles X and struck coins in his name so there would definitely be no Henri III coins struck there that year. Here is one from 1578, minted in La Rochelle (H):
A very agitated period in French history. The religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants, that led to the St Bartholomew's day massacre. The premature death of Charles IX. The crowning of Henri III - normally he was not eligible as he chose the Polish crown... the not so glorious reign of Henri III and the end of Valois dynasty as he had no heir. The next king was a Bourbon, Henri IV, who was very popular. Bought this coin few years ago, found it on a French website, looks better in hand and it had a decent price. Too bad I have already read all the fiction books I could find about that period several times, I will wait a few years and read them again
Thank you Talerman, for the history. I really do enjoy the story behind the coins, just as much as the knowledge gained. That is a beautiful coin. Mine is not so striking, but it helps me to learn the words that are on mine. And that is good.
Those are the historical stories that I love to read about and places I loved to visit. Each coin takes you to another place in time and tells another story. I just love it.
Here's another Henri III. A heavier version. Not much going for it, but the date and mint mark are visible. Frankly, with no relevant books available to me, I did some "cut and pasting," so the references/descriptions may be incorrect. Any corrections would be welcome. FRANCE: Henri III, 1574-1589, AR franc d'argent (32mm, 13.70 gm, 9h). Rouen, 1576-A. Obv: HENRICVS.III.DG. FRAN.ET.POL.REX (Henry by the Grace of God, France and Poland's King). Laureate, armored bust right, wearing tall collar, mint mark A below, within beaded circle. Rev: croix feuillue & fleurdelisée, H at center. Duplessy-Dup. 1130.
Hello Pete, I myself am relying on my friends here for help as well. But here is my input on what I believe to be a very nice coin. Minted in Paris. 1/4 Franc. Silver. I believe the Reverse is: SIT. NOMEN.DOMINI.BENEDICTVM.1576
I probably should have enlarged it before asking. It reminded me of a black and white photo my Father had shown me from Omaha Beach looking up at what they (he) had to face. Sorry for the confusion.
If it is 13.70 g, it is a franc, not a quarter franc. As MaryContrary says, the A under the bust means it is a Paris strike, not Rouen. The Paris issues of this period also have a stop under the 18th letter of the legend and you can see the stop on your coin under the E on the obverse at about 8h. References are Duplessy 1130, Sombart 4714 and Ciani 1427.
