Double Tournois, Henri III, Rouen mint

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Dear gentlemen,

Kingdom of France
Double Tournois
Henri III (1573–1575)
1588 B
Rouen mint

HENRI.III.R.DE FRAN.ET.POL.B.
+ DOVBLE.TOVRNOIS 1588

Copper
Weight: 2.25 g
Diameter: 20 mm

Best regards,
Alexander

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You will be aware that there are two kings Henri III of France, one protestant, one catholic. Yours, the more common one, is catholic. I have attached the listing in Duplessy. He describes the varieties of this type. Yours is laureated and cuirassed, raised collar, narrow bust, date on reverse, therefore more like the drawing on the right. For coins of this era, I prefer line drawings to photos.

Peter

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Peter, thanks a lot!

You've mentioned two kings:
1. Henry III of France https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_III_of_France
2. Henry III of Navarre (Henry IV of France) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_IV_of_France

Then mine is the first one, right?

Best regards,
Alexander

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Correct. To confuse you further, the catholic league struck posthumous coins for Henri III during the reign of Henri IV and there was yet another Henri involved, who, as the head of the catholic league, in one period ruled France but not as king: Henri de Guise. However, in 1596, the catholic league changed its allegiance to Charles X, cousin of François de Lorraine, duc de Guise. There would be yet another Charles X, king of France centuries later (1824-1836).

Peter

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Cool, thanks a lot! Who could imagine that this coin will bring so interesting historical material