Teston of Francis II
France
1559–1560
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$21.48
Based on Silver spot price ($78.96/oz) · 90.0% purity · 9.4g
Updated 10:08 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | France |
| Years Minted | 1559–1560 |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 9.4 g |
| Diameter | 29 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
Design
Obverse
Bust of King Francis II facing right.
Reverse
Royal coat of arms of France.
History & Notable Facts
Francis II's Teston is one of the few coins struck under a king who died before his 17th birthday, a stark reminder of how fleeting power could be in 16th-century France.
Weighing around 9.5 grams of silver, these coins were produced in Paris and possibly other mints, though records are spotty. The obverse typically shows the young king in profile, his features more boyish than regal, while the reverse bears a cross with fleurs-de-lis. Mintage figures? Lost to time, probably in one of those archival fires that numismatists love to curse.
Struck on planchets that might have included recycled metal from earlier issues, the Teston circulated amid the chaos of the French Wars of Religion. It's not rare, but finding one in good condition is like spotting a calm day in a storm.
Some claim these coins cursed their owners, but that's just tavern talk.
Buy on eBay
AI Analysis & Price Prediction
The Teston of Francis II has shown consistent appreciation over the past decade. Based on historical auction data, population reports, and current market sentiment, our AI model projects...
Get AI-powered analysis for this coin
Unlock with Pro — $9.99/mo