Paul Bosco Coins and Medals

2013 Auction of French Coins

Contact me at [email protected]

Part1: French Provincial Coinage Part2: French Metropolitan Coinage Part3: Tokens

FRENCH PROVINCIAL COINAGE

ANTWERP (Anvers)

Lot 1. 1814. Copper 10-Centimes. Emergency issues. (VF) and Louis XVIII (F) KM5.4($150), 7.2($60) 2 coins MB=$60 ($100-150)

BOUILLON & SEDAN

Lot 2. 1613. Ecu (=30 Sols). Dav.3822, KM22 (priced “RARE”). F-VF. MB=$250 ($500-up) ►Henri de la Tour, 1591-23. Eagle with laureate pig(!!) on breast. Rev: Crowned arms, quartered, with matching arms in quadrants 1 & 4, and 2 & 3 (thus distinguishing this type from Dav.3816-17). KM prices this type only as “Rare”. The KM Price Guide to Davenport (1981) likewise prices this as “Rare”, whereas the portrait Ecus, while rare, are at least priced ($3000-3500 VF in 1981).

Lot 3. 161x. Ecu (=45 Sols). Henri de la Tour, portrait type. KM29, Dav.3822($3500 VF in 1981). VF but with problems (worth VG -- or better?), and with date incomplete. MB=$300 ($500-1000) ►Portrait sharp but fields with many fine scratches. Uneven color. While French coins are popular in the USA, this highly specialized issue may sell below the $1000-2000 level suggested by the 30-year-old KM valuation.

DOMBES

Lot 4. 1575.Teston. VF but rough and “scaly”, thus valued as G/VG (b.c./t.b.c.) MB=$50 ($100-up) ►Louis de Bourbon Montpensier. Bare-headed bust left / arms.

LILLE

Lot 5. 1708. V, X & XX Sols. Copper. Siege coins. KM5-7. VF, F & VG. MB=$50 ($160-240) ►City in Northern , besieged for three months by the Austrians & English. Among the least expensive siege coins. The 20-Sols has the denomination woven into the coat of arms, in the form of 20 small esses.

MAYENCE (MAINZ)

Lot 6. 1793. Siege 2, 5 Sols. Copper. KM (under German States) 602($85), 603($185). VF+, VF+. MB=$100 ($240-300) ►Fasces/value. Not rare coins, but long on history and sought by collectors from multiple specialties. The KM values have been bested in auctions, going back 5 years. 1

NAVARRE/BEARN NEAPOLITAN REPUBLIC

Lot. 7 1577. Teston. Henri II & Marguerite, facing busts/quartered arms. Lot 8 (1799) 6-Carlini (= ½-Piastra). KM-C83. VG or better. Portrait details a bit weak, as is normal; otherwise, probably About MB=$50 ($100-150) VF. ►Standing female with Liberty Pole and fasces / value in wreath. Date reads ANNO MB=$100 ($300-400) SETTIMO. KM $150 Fine ($500 VF!), but seldom available for under $100. ►iNumis auction (Paris), 3/26/07 #679, a comparable coin, realized Eur312 + commission, or nearly $500. PIEDMONT REPUBLIC

Lot 9 L’An-9. Due (2) Soldi. Brassy copper. KM-C3. All VF or +, but look VG-F MB=$40 ($80-120) ►Actually better than average for this rude coinage.

STRASSBOURG/LORRAINE (Bishops)

Lot 10 N.d. (1600s) Teston. KM254 (under Strassbourg). F/VF+. MB=$50 ($80-120) ►Charles (Karl) III, 1545-1608. Bust left/arms. Roller dies. The obverse curiously waved, the reverse nice. ADDED: a small silver 2-Deniers, i name of Henri (1608-24), KM13, G-VG.

2

STRASSBOURG (City)

Lot 11 1773. Copper Kreuzer. KM64($75 VF), VF/VF+. MB=$40 ($100-150) ►Ludwig (Louis) Konstantin, 1756-79. Arms/value. Rather uncommon.

Lot 12 N.d. (ca14th .) Silver Hohlpfennig. XF-UNC. 11 pcs. MB=$60 ($150-250) ►Large fleur-de-lis over cross, within pearled border. Rev: incuse. Might be classed as bracteates. Most appear to be mint state, and arguably choice--thus slab candidates!!??

3

Lot 13 N.d. 1600s). Taler. KM306, Dav.5842 ($500 in 1981!) VF. Lot 14 N.d. (1600s). 60-Kreuzer (37mm silver). KM197. Similar to the MB=$200 ($500-up) Taler (previous lot). (About) VF. KM=$200 VF) MB=$100 ( $200-up) ►Lis/shield between two lions. Nice old blue-grey toning, lively surfaces. Lot 15 N.d. (1600s) 2-Kreuzer(3),