1670-A French Colonies 5 Sols. Paris Mint. Martin 6-D. Lecompte-186, W-11605, Breen-256. AU-55 (PCGS). Abundant luster persists over fresh and frosty gray-blue surfaces. A beautiful example, though a substantial adjustment mark is present on the shoulder of the portrait. The area opposite that, aligning with the left base of the crown, is somewhat softly defined as a result. The only notable post-striking defect is a diagonal scratch in the right reverse field. Spalling is noted in the left reverse field; this spalling and a minor crack below the mintmark define Martins late state of the reverse (the line through the date that was described by Martin as a crack is actually a clash). The obverse is middle die state, and this coin serves as Martins MDS plate coin. A clash is subtle but present, best seen right of 12 oclock at the periphery, and a die crack connects most of the legend on the left side. <p><p>This reverse shows a raised speck of spalling between REGN and I, which appears to be the stop or period mentioned by Lecompte in the listing of his 186a. PCGS# 905848. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from Heritages sale of August 2015, lot 3011.
