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COIN CLUB
FRANCE
Irregular octagonal uniface flan copper coin
issued for the Wars of Religion at
The siege of Cambrai
The siege lasted from 8th April - 7th October 1595
(15)9(5) 20 Patards.
Top centre: - Crowned Arms of France (Fleur de Lis) Encircled.
by (HENRICO) [weak strike - not clear] PROTECTORE.
9 to the left of the Fleur de Lis in shield.
5 would have been to the right of the shield but
unclear due to the weak strike.
At 9 o'clock: - 'XX' - denoting 20.
At 3 o'clock: - 'P' - denoting Patards.
At 6 o'clock: - The Montluc Arms.
Weight: - 12.0 grams
Size: 36mm x 31mm
* These pieces are generally never found well struck.
This coin is a particularly good example.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT:
When the French occupied Cambrai in 1595, the bishop whose loyalty lay with the Spanish king abandoned the city. When he left, he took money, war supplies and a small armed force.
When the advancing Spanish forces discovered that the bishop had fled, they surrounded the city preparing for an attack.
The city's governor, Jean de Montluc, and his wife began strengthening the fortifications. This allowed the beleaguered city to repel invading forces on several occasions.
As the siege progressed, tension within the city towards the French increased. The inhabitants distrusted the French occupiers and were quite agitated by the degraded currency that the governor issued to pay the troops. The intention being that the monies would be redeemed for their full value after the siege.
Eventually, the inhabitants led a revolt and opened the city gates to welcome the Spanish, resulting in the French surrender on October 7, 1595.
Price:- £375.00
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