How to Identify the Teston of Henri II
A collector's guide to recognizing Henri II's Renaissance silver teston by its right-facing royal portrait and crowned fleur-de-lis arms.
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Begin with the obverse portrait, which is the heart of the type. A Henri II teston shows the king in profile facing right, rendered with Renaissance realism—defined features, beard and period hair—and encircled by a Latin legend that names him, in a form such as HENRICVS II DEI GRATIA FRANCORVM REX. A lifelike right-facing royal head with the name 'Henricus II' is your first strong indicator.
Confirm on the reverse. Look for the crowned arms of France: a shield charged with three fleur-de-lis beneath a royal crown, typically framed by ornament and a pious Latin legend, and on many issues a date. This crowned fleur-de-lis shield paired with the portrait obverse is the diagnostic combination for the denomination.
Use size and metal as a cross-check. The teston is a substantial silver coin, larger and heavier than the small billon money of the mid-1500s. Weigh and measure a candidate against published specifications for Henri II testons; a piece that is markedly too light, too small, or base-metal in tone should be treated with caution, as should one whose 'silver' has an unnatural color.
Read the small marks. French testons were struck at several mints, each identified by a mint letter and privy marks placed in the legend or beneath the bust. These marks, together with the date, distinguish issues and mints and help separate Henri II's coins from the similar testons of neighbouring reigns—portrait alone is not enough, since other French kings also issued testons.
Be alert to look-alikes and alterations. Cast copies show soft, mushy detail, casting pits or edge seams; harshly cleaned pieces have bright, hairlined surfaces; and portraits or dates are sometimes tooled or re-engraved. Compare any coin to trusted reference images of Henri II testons, check the rims and edge for filing or mounting, and for higher-value examples seek third-party authentication before relying on it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the quickest way to confirm a Henri II teston?
Read the obverse legend around the right-facing bust. A form of 'HENRICVS II DEI GRATIA FRANCORVM REX' with a realistic royal portrait, paired with the crowned fleur-de-lis shield on the reverse, confirms the type.
How do I tell it from another king's teston?
The obverse legend names the ruler—look for 'Henricus II.' Other French kings issued testons with their own names and slightly different portraits, so confirm the name, the crowned arms and the mint marks rather than judging by the general design.
Could my teston be a cast forgery?
It is possible. Watch for soft or blurred detail, casting pits, edge seams, incorrect weight or diameter, and off-color metal. Compare to reference images and, for valuable pieces, obtain professional authentication.
What do the small letters and symbols mean?
They are mint letters and privy marks that identify where and under whose authority the coin was struck. Together with the date, they distinguish the many issues of Henri II's testons across France's various mints.