Besançon. Charles V. 1/4 Teston 1623

[NGC TOP POP] Philip IV (1621-1665). 1/4 teston (double gros). 1623. Besançon. (Tauler-3000). (Vti-1644). Vellón. 2.95 g. NGC AU55.
Philip IV (1621-1665). 1/4 teston (double gros). 1623. Besançon. (Tauler-3000). (Vti-1644). Silver. 2.95 g. NGC AU55.

Full original luster. Magnificent specimen. Fine line in the field and die flaw below the bust. Coin encapsulated by NGC as AU55, (8583867-009). [NGC TOP POP]

Fractional of the County of Burgundy under the Austrians: this 1/4 teston (double gros) from Besançon, 1623, belongs to a rarely seen and highly sought emission by specialists. It stands out for its original shine and a clean strike for the module, with presence that far exceeds what is typical for pieces intended for small change. Graded by NGC at AU55 with the [Top Pop] seal, it sits at the pinnacle of the census for this combination.

- Elite condition: NGC AU55 [Top Pop] — the highest grade recorded for this type/year at the time of encapsulation.

- Visual appeal: original luster in fields and devices; well-presented strike and legible legends for the denomination.

- Scarce market type: the Besançon fractional pieces are noticeably rarer than the larger denominations and seldom appear in AU.

- Historical context: a key coin for regional trade along the Spanish Road at the start of Philip IV’s reign.

Besançon was an Imperial Free City within the Holy Roman Empire, although the County of Burgundy belonged to the Spanish Monarchy. Its mint privilege originated with Charles V, and by tradition (and legal authority) the mint kept for decades an “inactive type”: it continued using its name and legend on coins long after its reign, right into the time of Philip IV. In other words, the coin asserts the original imperial legitimacy of the privilege, not the reigning king.