1721-H French Colonies Sou, or 9 Deniers. La Rochelle Mint. Martin 3.4-B.9, W-11830. Rarity-4. AU-58 (PCGS). 99.3 grains. A most impressive piece with extraordinary luster and surface quality. As described in our (Stacks) 75th Anniversary Sale of November 2010: "Here is a standout coin in a series better known for its specimens darkened by porosity or time spent in the ground. Ever so slightly worn on the high points of the high relief devices and legends, the fields have basically been spared any wear and are a light golden ruddy brown on both sides. The essential absence of wear has preserved all the fine die marks and rust that was in the dies when this coin was struck, making it a delight to study under magnification. The strike is bold and very well centered for one of these, with only a few letters falling tight to the rim. Although a handful of high grade 9 deniers exist, this is undoubtedly one of the most eye appealing survivors of the type. Just one of the date-and in fact of the entire type-has been graded finer by PCGS. Here is an opportunity to acquire a powerful type coin for a French Colonies collection." Now 12 years later, the statement about the PCGS population for the type still stands, with just a single MS-60 exceeding the present coin among all 9 deniers. With wonderful eye appeal, superior technical quality, and excellent provenance, this coin would be hard to beat as an example of the date or type.<p> PCGS# 905893. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Richard Picker, November 1955; our (Stacks) sale of the Herbert M. Oechsner Collection, September 1988, lot 991; our (Stacks) 75th Anniversary Sale, November 2010, lot 6393, via John Kraljevich.
