FRANCE. Aire-sur-la-Lys. 10 Sols Siege Klippe, 1641. Louis XIII (1610-43). NGC EF-45.Mailliet-pl. I #4. <strong>VERY RARE</strong>. Struck during the French occupation of the town in northern France which had been taken earlier in the summer from Spanish troops garrisoned there. Under the Union of Arras in 1579 the city had been ceded to Spain as part of the Spanish Netherlands but during the Franco-Spanish War (1635-59) the city was besieged by French troops under the command of Marshal Charles de la Porte Marquis de Meilleraye. During the siege the Spanish commander had the churchs and his personal silver minted into klippe coins in three denominations bearing the name of Philip IV of Spain. Not long after the French victory they were in turn besieged by Spanish troops attempting to reclaim the city. Klippe coinage was again produced in the same style only this time of one denomination and in the name of Louis XIII and extolling his virtues of being "pius, just and invincible." This example is quite well preserved and bears a clear if slightly uneven strike. Old toning pervades the surfaces which have no detracting marks or issues. The reverse bears a small incuse hallmark which was present on the original silver. An extremely historical piece which is seldom offered in public sale.NGC EF-45.
