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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,223 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2703 Posts |
This ecu arrived today from a German auction house.  I'm trying to get nice examples of all the various types. This one is the first listed in the table below. Seems much rarer than the R1 designation.  |
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Moderator
United States
34428 Posts |
Very nice addition to your collection @t360. Looks like it is still in great shape with some honest circulation wear. I wonder if you could help me to understand the combo B and D "letter" at the end of the obv inscription. I'm not sure that I recall seeing that before—is it a mint maker mark?
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
4628 Posts |
Close to VF overall, some real flattening on Louis neck and breast, possibly a thumb on it or bad strike which lead to that wearing quicker.
Lovely early milled coin.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2703 Posts |
Quote:
understand the combo B and D "letter" at the end of the obv inscription The ligature BD appears in the obverse legend on French coins struck in Bearn after it was incorporated into France, beginning with Louis XIII, and continuing until the French Revolution. It is part of the titles of the Kings of France meaning Seigneur (Lord) of Bearn. I suspect that the ligature may have come about as an abbreviation of the Latin phrase "Bearn Deus". It appears earlier on the coins of Navarre-Bearn of Henry III (later Henry IV of France, Louis XIII's father). Edited by t360
10/07/2021 04:58 am
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Pillar of the Community
 Sweden
2124 Posts |
Nice coin. Obverse TB15, reverse TB20 I would say. Quote:
understand the combo B and D "letter" at the end of the obv inscription Lord of Bearn, yes - the ligature should be read DB and stands for Dominus Bearnie. It was used on French coins from Pau/Bearn, together with the two cows (the coat of arms of Bearn), from Henry IV to Louis XVI. That coins from Bearn were allowed a special design, and inscription, probably was because the line of Bourbon kings from Henry IV and on had its origin in Pau. |
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Moderator
United States
34428 Posts |
Ok fascinating explanation—thx guys, and sorry to hijack the thread a bit. That is a gorgeous coin.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2703 Posts |
Quote:
the ligature should be read DB and stands for Dominus Bearnie Thank you for the clarification! I looked back in my collection and found a 1570 teston of Jeanne d'Albret of Navarre-Bearn (mother Henry IV) in which "D B" is not ligated:  |
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Pillar of the Community
Sweden
2124 Posts |
That is a very nice Jeanne d'Albret teston - I still have to find one in good condition for my collection. The D B here of course should be read Domina Bearnie.
I think it was Henry IV, while still Henry III of Navarre, who began ligating the DB on coins. Before him, it was written "D B", or even spelled out completely or in some short form (depending on the size of the coin).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7960 Posts |
Lovely coins @t360.
I made a decision some time ago to forego Royal France in my collection, but I love to enjoy them vicariously!
And to learn from you and erafjel.
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Pillar of the Community
Sweden
2124 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36844 Posts |
Nice coin, VF-20. Possible old cleaning.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,223 |
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Posted 10/07/2021 12:42 am
