1641-A French Colonies 15 Deniers. Gadoury-22, Ciani-1710, Breen-272. VF-20 (PCGS). 36.6 grains. Reverse aligned slightly clockwise from medal turn. Dies 1-A. Easily the most historically important of the 1641 quinzains Syd collected, the subject of his article "An Interesting Old Sol," published in the Fall 2010 <em>C4 Newsletter</em>. As recounted there:<p><p>"This coin, with the countermark, appears to be unique. There is not even a hint of one in Vlacks opus on the billon coinage of New France. Further, this coin proves that the 1640 countermark was used beyond that date. It suggests that 1641-A quinzains, at least in the form of <em>Old Sols</em>, became current in, and likely reached, New France." <p><p>This piece shows an attractive blend of light and medium silver-gray, a little granular overall but crisp and appealing. The oval fleur-de-lis countermark is positioned just northeast of the central reverse, fully outlined at right but a bit soft at left. The reverse of the quinzain is centered to the lower left, while the obverse is better centered. The planchet fissure or crack at central obverse may have been caused by the introduction of the counterstamp. Eye appeal is nice overall, though this is a coin whose importance has little to do with whether its attractive or not. It serves as the sole evidence that the countermarking required by the Edict of June 1640 extended in time beyond the mintage of the 1641-A quinzains and swept up at least some portion of this rare issue in the process. With little in the way of documentary or archaeological evidence, despite a strong circumstantial case, this coin is the best real evidence for likely circulation of the 1641-A quinzains in Nouvelle France. Syd recognized its importance and appeal instantly. <p> PCGS# 829560. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Pierre Raymond, St-Jerome, Quebec, July 2010.
