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Teston - Francis I 8th type
| Issuer | France |
|---|---|
| Year | 1538-1540 |
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| Reference(s) | Dy royales#807 , Gad R1#285B , Ciani Royales#1128 , LP#664 |
| Obverse description | Armored and crowned bust of Francis I facing right, wearing a fleur-de-lis crown and articulated plate armor at the shoulder and neck, rendered in a bold Renaissance portrait style characteristic of the French royal teston series. The effigy is set within a beaded inner circle, with the royal legend disposed around the periphery in Gothic lettering. The portrait displays strong facial features in profile, with the king's ear and jaw clearly delineated. The overall engraving conveys the majesty and authority of the French crown in the manner of the Italian-influenced portraiture introduced on the teston denomination. |
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| Reverse script | Latin |
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| Additional information |
The teston was France's answer to the large silver coinages spreading across Europe from Italian city-states, introduced under Louis XII and expanded significantly by Francis I. By the eighth type, the design had been revised repeatedly as Francis adjusted his monetary policy during a reign defined by expensive Italian wars and an arms race with the Habsburgs. The fine silver content held remarkably consistent across these type changes — a deliberate signal of royal creditworthiness to foreign creditors financing his campaigns.
Ciani's reference numbers for this type remain the most precise guide to distinguishing the eighth from the seventh, with differentiation hinging on minor legend variations rather than any substantial design overhaul.