FRANCE. Besancon. City Coinage. 2 Pistolets, 1579. NGC AU-50.Fr-73. Large bearded laureate head right in circle, "CAROLVS: QVINTVS: IMPERATOR." Emperor Charles V who granted the city the coinage right on condition that all coins struck would bear his portrait; Reverse: Imperial eagle with City Arms, "MONE. AVREA. CIVI: BISANTINAE", bold date 1579. Slightly off-round with satiny luster in the fields and nearly full legends. <strong>VERY RARE</strong> as a type and the sharpest example we have seen.NGC AU-50.
