British and World Coins

France, Besançon, City, Pistolet, laureate bust of Charles V left, rev. city arms over double eagle, 6.63g/9h (P d’A 5418; KM. –; F 75). Reverse off-centre, leaving the date off flan, otherwise about very fine or better, very rare £1,000-1,500

Charles V granted coinage rights to the citizens of Besançon in 1526 so long as his portrait appeared on the coins in perpetuity. This lasted in fact until the 1670s. The city became part of France in 1674; coinage in the name of the French monarchy was struck from 1694