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1/2 Teston - Francis I 4th type, Tours
| Issuer | France |
|---|---|
| Year | 1540 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse description | The royal arms of France — a shield semé of fleurs-de-lis — displayed at centre, surmounted by a royal crown and set within an ornate polylobate or polylobe frame composed of curved foliate branches. The crowned shield is depicted in high relief against the flat field, with the decorative surround lending an architectural character typical of mid-16th-century French hammered silver coinage. A circular Latin legend occupies the outer border, separated by pellets, with the mint letter E appearing at the close of the inscription. |
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| Additional information |
The teston — named for the *tête* (head) it bore — was introduced to France by Louis XII in imitation of the Italian *testone*, part of a broader absorption of Renaissance monetary fashion following the Italian campaigns. Francis I's fourth type reflects administrative reorganization of the Tours mint rather than any dramatic political rupture; Tours had long been one of the kingdom's primary silver-striking establishments. The half denomination saw comparatively limited production, which accounts for its scarcity relative to the full teston in surviving examples.
Gadoury's R1 rarity rating is not assigned lightly for this series.