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1640 countermark on a Francois I Grand blanc a la Couronne, Ciani 1157-8 type, Duplessy 835, Sombart

Currency:CAD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:200.00 CAD Estimated At:500.00 - 600.00 CAD
1640 countermark on a Francois I Grand blanc a la Couronne, Ciani 1157-8 type, Duplessy 835, Sombart

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Host Coin of Francois I (ruled 1515-1547), Vlack 1f Type - 1640 countermark on a Francois I Grand blanc a la Couronne, Ciani 1157-8 type, Duplessy 835, Sombart 4344. First type, authorized January 23, 1515. Fine or so, a strong countermark on the reverse of a host coin that is strong enough to identify with certainty. The issues of Francois I are more available than any of the earlier kings, though they are still rarer than later ones, and Vlack gives this type a rating of Rarity-7. This host type is the first billon coin issued by Francois I, struck just three weeks after he ascended the throne, and is a rare coin on its own – Sombart notes that it was reportedly struck at 5 different mints, 4 of which are unknown today, with only the “R” mint reported. Unfortunately the countermark on this one has flattened out the area where the mintmark would normally be found, though given the rarity of the host coin itself this detail is not that important. Certainly an important issue for the specialist, and an extreme rarity with the 1640 countermark.