© Bibliothèque nationale de France / Gallica
© Bibliothèque nationale de France / Gallica
Teston - Henriette of Lorraine naked-head bust and alerion version
1634 year| Silver | 8.36 g | - |
| Issuer | Principality of Phalsbourg and Lixheim (French States) |
|---|---|
| Princess | Henriette of Lorraine (1629-1660) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1634 |
| Value | 1 Teston (½) |
| Currency | Livre Tournois |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 8.36 g |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#78981 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Big crowned alerion.
Script: Latin
Lettering: MONETA. NOVA. LIXEI. CVSA. 16 34.
Translation: New coin minted in Lixheim.
Comment
Henriette, sister of the Duke Charles IV, had rights to struck coins in an old mint in Lixheim. This mint mainly stroke neighbour nation imitations such as France, Lorraine (under French occupation) or Spanish Netherlands. There imitations were quickly withdrawn and denounced by the concerned territories. She also stroke "legitimate" coins in the German currency system (2 kreutzer, 24 kreutzer teston) up to the principality occupation by French and Swedish troops and the Lixheim fortress dismantlement in 1634-1635 following commands of the French king.This teston is one of only legitimate coinages of the Princess Henriette.
Another type was struck in 1633 and 1635 (PA#6277), known to be an imitation of Charles IV Teston.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Teston - Henriette of Lorraine (naked-head bust and alerion version) 1634 coin is that it features a unique design element - the alerion, which is a mythical creature that is half-eagle, half-lion. This symbol was used to represent the coat of arms of the House of Lorraine, to which Henriette of Lorraine belonged. The use of this symbol on the coin highlights the importance of the Lorraine dynasty and their influence in the region during that time period.