Description
France. Henri III, 1574-1589. Écu d'or au soleil 1578, Bayonne. 2nd type. Gold 3.33 g.; 26 mm.
Obverse: Crowned shield of France, cantoned by two crowned Hs. Obverse caption: +HENRC°VS·III·D·G·F·ET·POL·REX· (flower) (anchor) //
Reverse: Cross fleurdelisée bearing in heart the mint letter. Reverse caption: (sun) SIT·NOMEN·DNI·BENEDICTVM·1578.
Gadoury: 503.
Extremely rare. Rare variety. Superb specimen of an Ecu d'or au soleil, 2nd type with the cross in obverse, despite a die break at 11h, crossing the flan from top to bottom, and cleaning.
Almost uncirculated AU 50-53
Comment
Struck only in Bayonne, the only mint for this type, the dated specimens are only for 1578, which gives it all its rarity! This type of coin has almost never been offered for sale.
Payment
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