Struck for King Charles IX at the Toulouse Mint (mint mark M).
Approx 30mm.
During the Italian wars (1494), Louis XII King of France discovered the teston, a heavy silver coin stuck for decades by the Italian Renaissance Kings. Characterized by the innovative presence of the ruler's portrait, the coin took the name of teston (from the Italian testa, or head).
Catalog: Roberts-3561.
Certified by NGC to AU 55, Population Census: This coin, none higher.
Contemporary of England's Queen Elizabeth I.
Obverse: bust of Charles facing left, mint mark, M: CAROLVS VIIII D G FRAN REX.
Reverse: Crowned shield with three lis, flanked by pair of crowned C: SIT NOMEN DOM BENEDIC MDLXV (date in Roman numerals).
Charles IX (Charles Maximilien: 27 June 1550 – 30 May 1574) was King of France from 1560 until his death in 1574 from tuberculosis.
