The New York Sale
Auction 49 15 Jan 2020
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France
Louis XII (1498-1515). Gold Half Ecu d'or au soleil, undated (1.71g). Crowned arms of France, small sun above. Rev. Floriated cross (Fr 324; Ciani 901). In PCGS holder graded AU 53. Scarce denomination. Value $1,750 - UP
The écu d'or au soleil ("gold shield with sun") and its much scarcer half were struck by Louis XII followed a model for the écu that had been established by Louis XI in 1475. The addition of the small sun symbol above the crowned arms of France on the obverse served to indicate that the écu d'or au soleil weighed only 3.496 g and had a gold purity of only 0.963. The denomination enjoyed a great deal of popularity in general and continued to be struck by French kings through the sixteenth and seventeenth century. It is perhaps fitting that the last issues of the écu d'or au soleil were struck by none other than Louis XIV (1643-1715), the Sun King himself.
Louis XII (1498-1515). Gold Half Ecu d'or au soleil, undated (1.71g). Crowned arms of France, small sun above. Rev. Floriated cross (Fr 324; Ciani 901). In PCGS holder graded AU 53. Scarce denomination. Value $1,750 - UP
The écu d'or au soleil ("gold shield with sun") and its much scarcer half were struck by Louis XII followed a model for the écu that had been established by Louis XI in 1475. The addition of the small sun symbol above the crowned arms of France on the obverse served to indicate that the écu d'or au soleil weighed only 3.496 g and had a gold purity of only 0.963. The denomination enjoyed a great deal of popularity in general and continued to be struck by French kings through the sixteenth and seventeenth century. It is perhaps fitting that the last issues of the écu d'or au soleil were struck by none other than Louis XIV (1643-1715), the Sun King himself.