France (Feudal): Dombes (Principality of Dombes). Gaston d’Orléans, prince usufructuary (1627-1650)

Poey d’Avant 5207 var., Divo Dombes 210 var., CGKL 756, Boudeau 1088

AE denier tournois, dated 1649. 17 mm. Trévoux mint.

Obv: GAST • PATR • R • VSFR • PR • DOM • A •, bust facing right, in a circle.

Rev: + DENIER • TOVRNOIS • 1649, three lilies under a lambel.

Dombes became a sovereign principality in 1402 (shortly after Louis II, Duke of Bourbon acquired both the northern and southern parts of the area and consolidated them), and continued as such until 1762, when it was surrendered to the crown.

Gaston (1608-1660), the third son of Henri IV and Mary de Médicis, became Duke of Orléans upon the death of his brother in 1611. In 1627 he married the daughter of Duke Henri of Bourbon-Montpensier. She died in 1627 giving birth to their daughter, Ann Mary Louise d’Orléans (1627-1693), and Gaston was usufructuary for the girl until 1650.