(sold for $5.0)

1545, France, Lorraine (Duchy), Charles III. Silver ½ Gros Coin. Nancy mint!

Mint Place: Nancy Mint Period: 1545-1608 Denomination: ½ Gros (demi-gros) Reference: Bd.-Flon p.662.161-165. Condition: Lightly chipped edge, otherwise F+ Diameter: 17mm Weight: 0.52gm  Material: Silver 

Obverse: Crowned andhalved coat-of-arms of Lorraine and Bar within foliage. Legend: CAROL D G LOTAR B DVX

Reverse: Crowned heraldic eagle of Lorraine. Legend: + MONET NOV NANCEII CVSA

Charles III (18 February 1543 – May 14, 1608), known as the Great, was Duke of Lorraine from 1545 until his death.

He was the eldest surviving son of Francis I, Duke of Lorraine, and Christina of Denmark. His mother served as the regent during his minority.

During his childhood, his aged great-grandmother, Philippa of Gelderland, died in 1547, leaving her inheritance to the young Charles.

He is sometimes numbered as Charles II of Lorraine.

His dynasty claimed the Kingdom of Jerusalem and used also the title of Duke of Calabria as symbol of their claims to the Kingdom of Naples. Additionally, they had a claim to the Duchy of Gelderland, inherited from Charles of Egmont, Duke of Gelderland.