1721-H French Colonies Sou, or 9 Deniers. La Rochelle Mint. Martin 3.5-B.18, W-11830. Rarity-6-. AU-50 (PCGS). 83.0 grains. A very pleasing AU example with bold detail and high quality surfaces that display noticeably glossy luster. Tan devices contrast with fields of reddish-chocolate and dark olive. Well preserved surfaces with no marks that bear mention. Die flow lines around the reverse periphery retain some frosty mint luster and give off a subtle glow. The patina is just barely rough in places but really only when viewed under magnification. A strong strike is well centered for the issue with just the tops of the letters of BENEDICTUM off the planchet. There is much to recommend this handsome coin as an example of the type or the 1721-H date. PCGS# 905894. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex John Agre (Coin Rarities Online), August 4, 2012 at the Philadelphia ANA Show. Plated in the Martin reference "French Coinage Specifically for Colonial America," pp. 266, 344.
