The New York Sale
Auction 49 15 Jan 2020
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France
Charles V (1364-1380). Gold Franc a Pied, undated. Armored king with sword and sceptre, standing under Gothic dais. Rev. Floriated cross in quadrilobe, fleur de lis in two angles and crown in two angles (Fr 284; Ciani 457). In NGC holder graded MS 63, well struck with attractive mint luster. Value $1,250 - UP
The gold franc denomination was introduced in 1360 in order to meet the crushing terms of the Treaty of Brétigny (May 8, 1360), which required the payment of 3 million crowns to Edward III of England for the return of the captured Jean II. In 1364, Jean's son and successor, Charles V, again struck the franc conforming to the same weight standard (3.885 g) and employing the same type depicting the king charging into battle on horseback. However, in the following year he reduced the weight of the franc to 3.824 g and changed the obverse type to signal this slight weight reduction. Whereas the previous mounted type had been known as the franc à cheval ("on horseback") the new coin was known as the franc à pied ("on foot") because it depicted the armored king dismounted and holding his sword and the Main de Justice ("Hand of Justice") scepter. Although the capture of his father had been a severe blow to French royal power, the type suggested that while Charles V was down, he was not yet out of the Hundred Year's War.
Charles V (1364-1380). Gold Franc a Pied, undated. Armored king with sword and sceptre, standing under Gothic dais. Rev. Floriated cross in quadrilobe, fleur de lis in two angles and crown in two angles (Fr 284; Ciani 457). In NGC holder graded MS 63, well struck with attractive mint luster. Value $1,250 - UP
The gold franc denomination was introduced in 1360 in order to meet the crushing terms of the Treaty of Brétigny (May 8, 1360), which required the payment of 3 million crowns to Edward III of England for the return of the captured Jean II. In 1364, Jean's son and successor, Charles V, again struck the franc conforming to the same weight standard (3.885 g) and employing the same type depicting the king charging into battle on horseback. However, in the following year he reduced the weight of the franc to 3.824 g and changed the obverse type to signal this slight weight reduction. Whereas the previous mounted type had been known as the franc à cheval ("on horseback") the new coin was known as the franc à pied ("on foot") because it depicted the armored king dismounted and holding his sword and the Main de Justice ("Hand of Justice") scepter. Although the capture of his father had been a severe blow to French royal power, the type suggested that while Charles V was down, he was not yet out of the Hundred Year's War.