1721-B French Colonies Sou, or 9 Deniers. Rouen Mint. Martin 1.4-A.4, W-11825. Rarity-5. EF-40 (PCGS). 102.3 grains. A wonderful example of the rare 1721-B Rouen Mint issue, a coin choice enough to be a noteworthy specimen of the overall type not just this challenging date and mint. Glossy, high quality surfaces are a pleasing shade of medium brown with some mottling of lighter chocolate. Original and problem-free with nothing but the most trivial contact marks and insignificant planchet roughness. Fully and evenly struck with excellent centering on each side. The legends and motifs are all boldly displayed, and much of the border dentils is visible as well; the reverse has a full perimeter of dentils framing that side.<p>While scarce in all grades, the 1721-B 9 deniers is a well known condition rarity in any grades higher than VF. PCGS has certified just four examples higher, one of which is the preceding lot, the highest graded being two pieces at AU-55. The lovely EF-40 offered here is perhaps not quite as sharp or as technically high grade as those top coins, but possesses just about equivalent eye appeal, surface quality, and overall detail. With no truly high grade or Mint State examples available to represent the issue, a choice, well pedigreed piece such as this fits the bill for even the highest quality cabinet. PCGS# 905867. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Anthony Terranova; John Agre and Dave Wnuck (Coin Rarities Online), 2010. Plated in the Martin reference "French Coinage Specifically for Colonial America," pp. 166, 294.
