FRANCE - HENRI IV

Royal France, Henri IV, 1602 (reigned, 1589-1610), AR 1/4 Ecu (27x28mm), F+/VF, similar to Ciani 1517 and Roberts 3263. Obv. + HENRICVS IIII D G FRANC E NAVA REX 1602 (with beginning corss of globe), flowered cross. Rev. + SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTVM, crowned coat of arms with three fleurs de lis, between II and II. The images are well struck, with some weakness, and a little bit of double striking on the reverse. Henri IV was a protestant during the French Wars of Religion, but became Catholic when he inherited the throne. Henri granted official toleration for protestants through the Eidct of Nantes, but was assassinated.