Henri IV (1589–1610) Quarter écu 1603 R of Villeneuve Sb 4698 Very Rare

  

Very rare mint, with a particular and uncommon type for the quarter ecu! (Henry IV, by the grace of God, King of France and Navarre). Crowned French shield, flanked by II-II.

At the end of the legend, beneath the point of the shield: the letter R, reserved for the mint of Villeneuve-Saint-André-Lès-Avignon. (Blessed be the name of the Lord). Cross formed by a rose at the center and four leafy elements, with a fleur-de-lis in the first quarter. Grape cluster = “speaking” mintmark of Jean VIGNET, master of the Villeneuve mint from 1602 to 1603.

References: Duplessy 1228 (4th type quarter ecu, Villeneuve 1603) - Sombart 4698. This quarter ecu has on the reverse a cross of a completely unusual type under the reign of Henry IV. This type of cross is found only for the Villeneuve mint, and only during the year 1603. This cross is flanked either by a fleur-de-lis like on this specimen (85,201 pieces), or by a rosette (97,826 pieces). This type of quarter ecu is very rare. The Villeneuve mint had struck coins under the reigns of Francis I and Henry II. It had received the letter R as its mintmark in 1540. After weak activity under Charles IX and Henry III, the mint alternated between low production and periods of inactivity. Silver 30.5 mm - 9.66 g. The central motifs are very clear, on both obverse and reverse.

Beautiful relief, especially the small fleur-de-lis in the reverse field. The legends are clearer on the reverse than on the obverse, where a few striking weaknesses are noted. Provenance: Offer sale Alain Bailly / AB Finances, 2005. I am selling part of my collection: be sure to look at my other items!