1603, France. HENRI IV, MARIE DE MEDICI AND THE DAUPHIN. By Guillaume Dupr?. Cast AE 62.8mm. Obv: Conjoined busts of Henri and Marie de Medici facing right. Rev: Henri IV as Mars and Marie as Minerva, the Dauphin stands between them. An eagle holds a crown above the Dauphin. Cf. Jones 15. An after cast with an integral loop. Some softness of detail; dark, slightly uneven patina. Very fine. $200
Guillaume Dupr?, sculptor, medallist and coin engraver, is recognized as one of the foremost medallists of his age. He was born at Sissonne in 1574. In 1597 Henri IV was so pleased with a medal presented to him by Dupr? that he gave him the title of Sculptor in Ordinary to His Majesty. In 1603 he was granted the extraordinary privilege of being able to cast medals himself in the Gallery of the Louvre. Forrer notes that Dupr? is distinguished among French medallists for being the first to apply the art of sculpture to medal-making. He died in 1647. ?