Double Tournois - Charles II 21st type

Historical Context: This Double Tournois, the 21st type of Charles II, was issued by the Principality of Arches-Charleville between 1638 and 1642. Charles II Gonzaga, a minor, ruled as Prince, though regents often held real power. Strategically located on the Meuse, Charleville, founded by Charles I Gonzaga, asserted its semi-independent status through coinage. This issue reflects the principality's assertion of economic sovereignty amidst the broader conflicts of the Thirty Years' War, a time of significant political and financial instability across Europe.

Artistry: The engraver for this type remains anonymous, common for provincial copper coinage of the era. Stylistically, it exhibits a simplified, utilitarian approach typical of the Double Tournois, with a faint echo of contemporary Baroque in its portraiture. The obverse typically features a laureate bust of Charles II, often facing right, encircled by his titulature. The reverse commonly displays three fleurs-de-lis beneath a crown, with the principality's name and the date, signifying the issuer's authority.

Technical/Grading: As a 2.5-gram, 20-millimeter copper issue, this Double Tournois often presents characteristic minting imperfections. High-points prone to wear include the hair and laurel wreath on the obverse bust, and the upper petals of the fleurs-de-lis and the crown on the reverse. Strike quality is frequently inconsistent, with weak areas, off-center strikes, and planchet irregularities like laminations or rough surfaces common. Given its copper composition, environmental factors such as corrosion can significantly impact preservation and overall grade.