France Henri IV (1589-1610). 1607-A Silver Franc Quadruple Piefort (KM-P7, 56.45 grams). NGC XF45 and housed in an extra-thick NGC holder. A simply splendid, entirely satisfying, wonderfully wholesome example, especially in light of the rarity and nature of this issue. It is believed that such pieforts (this design is known in both a 2 franc and 4 franc thickness) were struck as trial pieces for possible single thickness circulation strikes. It is interesting to note that no such silver francs were minted for circulation (the highest silver denomination bearing this general Henri IV portrait design being a 1/2 franc) though its issuance was clearly considered. Perhaps the issue was abandoned in favor of the ecu denominated coinage that was being minted simultaneously under the name of Henri IV. Henri IV (also known as Henry the Great and Good King Henry) was both powerful in Europe and at home during his reign, as the French economy under his rule flourished. Henri IV had been instrumental in bringing about the end of the so-called Wars of Religion, and had gained power, territorial gains, and military might for France. He was abruptly killed on May 14, 1610 in the streets of Paris by the blade of a zealous Roman Catholic assassin (even though Henri had converted from Protestantism to Roman Catholicism (1593) at the end of the Wars of Religion in order to win the hearts of those in Paris and to reunify France). This is clearly the finest of three such VERY RARE Quadruple Pieforts certified by NGC (PCGS has not graded any, and one of the other known NGC examples currently resides in a Long Island collection). Lovely, wholly "virgin" russet-grey toning immerses ideal surface quality in light of the large, heavy, vulnerable nature of such a coin. The KM catalogue value is $8000. Est. $6500.