1721-H French Colonies Sou, or 9 Deniers. La Rochelle Mint. Martin 3.11-B.18, W-11830. Rarity-5. AU-50 (PCGS). 94.8 grains. An impressive medium brown piece with richly glossy surfaces and sharp detail that is only lightly worn on the high points of the devices. A planchet flaw at 3 oclock relative to the obverse and a curved depression on the corresponding reverse rim appear to be anomalies related to either the planchet production or minting of the coin and not post-strike damage. Thin planchet laminations are seen elsewhere on the obverse. The copper is hard and smooth in general and there are no serious marks. Perfectly centered detail. An intriguing and high quality piece. PCGS# 905899. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Richard Picker, February 12, 1962; Heritages sale of the W. Philip Keller Collection, October 2010, lot 3112. Obverse plated in the Martin reference "French Coinage Specifically for Colonial America," p. 278.
