France, Duchy of Lorraine, Francis I, Teston, Nancy

When the Doge Nicolo Tron issued a coin with his portrait in 1472, he did most likely not foresee that he was setting a new trend. In Venice itself, the coin with the bust of the doge was badly received. The image caused much distrust among republican circles, because it prompted associations with royal coins. Other princes of the time liked just that, however. And after only a little wile, the new fashion spread to France, Portugal, England, Scotland, Switzerland and Southern Germany. This coin shows the portrait of Duke Francis I of Lorraine. He became duke upon the death of his father in 1544, but died the following year.