FRANCE, Royal. Henri III, 1574-1589. Franc 1581 I (Silver, 33 mm, 13.85 g, 5 h), Limoges. HENRICVS•III•D•G•FRANC•ET•POL•REX Laureate and cuirassed bust of Henry III to right, date 1581 below. Rev. ✠ SIT•NOMEN• DONI•BENEDICTVM✱ Cross with lis at the ends, H in center. Duplessy 1130. Kopicki 10426. Slightly cleaned, minor areas of weakness and tiny scratches, otherwise, good 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.