FRANCE, Royal. Henri III, 1574-1589. Franc 1576 A (Silver, 32 mm, 13.29 g, 4 h), Paris. ✠HENRICVS•III•D•G•FRAN•ET•POL•REX Lauerate and cuirassed bust of Henri III to right. Rev. ✠SIT•NOMEN•DOMINI•BENEDICTVM•1573 Floral cross with H in center. Duplessy 1130. Ciani 1427. Nicely toned. Very minor marks and minor deposits, otherwise, very fine.



Henri III was crowned King of Poland in 1573, yet he did not establish a mint in Poland. He ruled France from 1574 onward. Despite this, all of his French coinage is inscribed with the Polish title POL[ONIE] REX, including those minted after Stephen Bathory's accession to the Polish throne in 1576, such as this example.