AR Demi-Franc 29mm. 6.98g. Bordeaux Mint. 1590

Laureate and cuirassed bust right; date below.
:HENRICVS. III. D (MG) G. FRAN. ET. PO REX -K / 1590

Cross fleuronée centered with 'H' monogram.
K (retrograde) :SIT. NOMEN. DOMINI. BENEDICTV.

Duplessy 1190; Lafaurie 1037

Near EF. Deeply toned. Rare variety with date at shoulder of bust. Six mints, including Bordeaux, continued to strike coins in the name of Henry III for part of the year 1590. Listed as unique by Duplessy, though a handful of examples are known in recent auction records. Includes old collection envelope/ticket. Envelope reads 'Bought in Paris April 1954'

Henri III died in 1589. The 'League' opposed the coronation of Henry IV, a protestant, and preferred Charles, Cardinal de Bourbon and uncle of the king, but Charles died a prisoner of his nephew in 1590. Numerous workshops continued to monetize the name of the deceased king Henri III well after his death. The coinage of the Leaguers in the name of Henri III stopped when Toulouse fell into the hands of Henri IV, 24 January 1596.