FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Medieval, Islamic and Crusader Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: ambr0zie on January 04, 2017, 03:41:52 pm

Title: Double tournois
Post by: ambr0zie on January 04, 2017, 03:41:52 pm

Good day ladies and gentlemen.

First of all apologies for the bad quality of the pics - maximum my cheap phone can produce.
I have this Double Tournois I would like you to help identify, please.
Badly worn - but from what I read it could be Henri III Valois on the reverse?
Under the portrait, slightly right side, I can see L and this might come from FRAN ET POL - France and Poland  (not sure but I think Henri III was the only king using this term).

Any help is greatly appreciated. Perhaps there is someone experienced in French 15th-16th-17th century coins and can compare the portrait (or what's left from the portrait in my case  :) )
I am not a medieval coins collector but I admit I'd be more than happy, for personal reasons, if the coin is struck under Henri III and not any other king.

And also - is it worth trying to clean it? not sure if that green substance (verdigris?) will damage the coin and not sure if cleaning will destroy it.
Many thanks in advance.

------later edit - it was identified as Henri III - Rouen Mint .
I would like to thank everybody who read this topic.

Title: Re: Double tournois
Post by: BIRDSOFPREY on January 11, 2017, 01:29:05 pm

Hi Lex,

My best guess is your coin is a double tournois minted in Henri III's lifetime (there were posthumous issues minted by Henri IV and the League).  The best match I can find is Roberts 3631.  Obverse is portrait right with the legend starting at 7 o'clock- .HENRI.III.R.DE.FRAN.ET.POL.(mintmark), which on your coin is B (Rouen). Reverse is the three Fleurs with dot in the middle with legend- DOVBLE.TOVRNOIS (cross).  Because of the area at 10 o'clock being off the flan, I cannot determine whether the date is there or not.  In my opinion, I would not clean the coin, regardless of condition.  Cleaned coins generally are of reduced value.  Hope you enjoyed the info.

Cheers,
David

Title: Re: Double tournois
Post by: ambr0zie on January 11, 2017, 03:46:48 pm

Thank you David, you confirmed what I was suspecting and what a French specialist told me.
I am fully aware that in this condition, the coin has almost 0 value. But this means nothing to me.
I am a big fan of Henri III and especially his court jester Chicot so this coin was a pleasant surprise for me.