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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ian, post: 126605, member: 283&quot;]Actually Mikjo0, these douzaines are categorised as billon coinage as opposed to silver.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>There&#039;s a Henri III silver Franc aka `livre d&#039;argent&#039; as in`silver pound&#039; which is as close as you will get to the French equivalent of a dollar in terms of `silver dollar size&#039; that is.....and a century or so before the US dollar was even a twinkle in the founding fathers&#039; eyes. It is also high grade silver. I&#039;m not sure of its specifics, but it&#039;s at least .83 or higher. It was introduced into circulation in 1576 but the first issue was dated 1575. There are numerous design variations (bust, location of date, minor legend differences etcetera). There are also half francs and quarter francs all using the common reverse. The `franc&#039; continued to be produced into the reign of Louis XIII but by this time only as piedforts or essaies. The fractions (ie half and quarter) were however produced for circulation. They are pretty hard to find though. In a similar vein there were of course silver talers (dollars) minted in the various french provinces such as Alsace and Lorraine. I&#039;ve got one of Strassbourg somewhere.... circa mid 1500&#039;s. I&#039;ll try to unearth it at some point.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Here&#039;s a couple of examples of a Henri III franc of 1586 and 88 (Paris), a Henri IV half franc of 1596 (Aix en provence) and a Louis XIII quatre franc date uncertain (Toulouse).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://omnicoin.com/coins/909239.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://omnicoin.com/coins/909240.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://omnicoin.com/coins/909241.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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