256, Lot: 606. Estimate $100. Sold for $60. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

FRANCE, Royal. Ligue Catholique (Catholic League). Striking in the name of Charles ‘X’ de Bourbon. BI Douzain (23mm, 1.94 g, 4h). Dijon mint. Dated 1593. Crowned coat-of-arms / Cross échancrée with crowns in quarters. Duplessey 1180a; Ciani -. Near VF, brown patina.

From the TJH Collection.

Upon the death of Henry III, the throne of France was to pass to Henry of Navarre. However, Henry was a Protestant and, at the height of the bloody French Wars of Religion, the powerful Catholic League refused to allow a Calvinist to rule the kingdom. Accordingly, they proclaimed Cardinal Charles de Bourbon the rightful successor to king. Yet Charles, recognized only by the League, was a prisoner of Protestants throughout his nominal reign and shortly renounced all claims to the throne. Despite the League’s inability to support their own candidate, the group remained powerful enough to keep Henry from Paris. Only on his conversion to Catholicism would they accept Henry as sovereign.