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Douzain of Dauphine - Francis I 3rd type
| Issuer | France |
|---|---|
| Year | 1515-1540 |
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| Composition | Billon (.339 silver) |
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| Obverse description | Quartered shield of arms at center, displaying the fleurs-de-lis of France and the dolphin of the Dauphine in alternating quarters, all within a beaded inner circle. The surrounding circular legend in uncial Latin reads FRANCISCVS FRANCORV REX, identifying Francis I as King of France. The shield is rendered in the late medieval heraldic style typical of French hammered billon coinage, with no additional ornamentation in the field. |
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| Obverse lettering | FRAnCISCVS FRAnCORV REX |
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| Additional information |
The douzain was introduced by royal ordinance in 1488 as part of a broader effort to stabilize petty coinage after decades of debasement had eroded public confidence in billon currency. Francis I inherited both the denomination and its problems. His third type for the Dauphiné represents a regional variant struck under provincial authority, distinguishing it from the main royal series — the Dauphiné had retained certain minting privileges dating to its annexation by the French crown in 1349, when the future Charles V purchased the province from Humbert II.