Douzain of Henry IV

The Douzain of Henry IV was struck using copper that had been recycled from older, worn coins, a practical measure during the cash-strapped early years of his reign.

This coin, valued at 12 deniers, featured Henry IV's armored bust on the obverse, a nod to his military background after converting to Catholicism in 1593. The reverse typically bore a crowned shield with the French lilies, though designs varied by mint. We know it was produced in cities like Paris and Lyon, but exact production figures remain murky; records from that era are scarce.

One oddity: the coin's edge was sometimes left unstruck, perhaps to speed up minting in wartime. As for its survival, many specimens show wear from heavy circulation, which isn't surprising given the chaos of the times.

Collectors note that, like Henry IV's policies, the Douzain adapted to circumstances.