In the commencement, therefore, of this piece the gros Tournois was synonymous with the sol. Tournois. With the degeneration of the standard, however, the coin (the gros) parted company from the sol., which remained as a system of reckoning.
Up to the time of Philippe de Valois this money continued of undiminished weight and standard, and of the greatest celebrity. When that prince, in 1343, returned to good money after a period of debasement, he coined the gros Tournois 60 to a mark, of fine silver, and at an equivalence of 15 deniers Tournois. For its subsequent course, see tables infra. It is noticeable that while in weight and value the gros Tournois was frequently changed, in fineness no diminution was made.
Parisis d'argent, issued only by Philippe de Valois (of fine silver, 4 deniers in weight = 15 deniers Tournois or 1 sol. Parisis).
Testoons are to be regarded as the successors of the gros Tournois. They were first issued by Louis XII.
in 1513; 11 deniers 18 grs. fine, 7 deniers 12 1⁄3 grs. weight, and = 10 sols. This species continued until its interdiction by Henry III. in 1575, who replaced them in that year by.
Francs d'argent, 10 deniers 10 10⁄23 grs. fine, 11 deniers 1 grain weight (or 17 1⁄4 to the mark), and = 20 sols. This piece continued until the days of Louis XIII.
Quart d'écus, also issued by Henry III., 11 deniers fine, 7 deniers 12 1⁄2 grs. weight, and = 15 sols. (i.e. a quarter the value of the écu d'or, then set at 60 sols.). This piece endured till 1646.
Louis d'argent, issued by Louis XIII. (see p. [402], Louis d'or), 11 deniers fine, 21 deniers 8 grs. weight for the écus blancs. This money continued till the Revolution.
Lis d'argent, issued for a few months in 1656, 11 deniers 12 grs. fine, 6 deniers 5 grs. weight, and = 20 sols.
Franc, modern (see text, p. [176]).