1608, France, Lorraine (Duchy), Charles III. Silver Countermarked 2 Denier Coin. R!
Mint Place: Nancy Mint Period: 1545-1608 Denomination: 2 Denier (1/2 Groschen) Condition: Pierced by the countermark, minor deposits and a few digs, otherwise VF+ Reference: De Saulcy XVIII, 5, Roberts 9447, Boudeau 1538 (illustration with countermark), MB#20 var. (here with a countermark!)-. R! Diameter: 18mm Weight: 0.71gm Material: Silver
Obverse: Sword (arms of Lorraine) breaking out of inner circle below. Countermark (crowned eagle) in to in right field! Legend: ++ MONETA . FACTA . NAN
Reverse: Crowned coat-of-arms of Lorraine within inner circle. Legend: ++ CARO . D . G . LOTAR . B . DVX
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.