The New York Sale
Auction 49 15 Jan 2020
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France
Louis XV (1715-1774). Gold Half Louis d'or au bandeau, 1743-W (Lille). Large head of king left with hair ribbon. Rev. Crown over two oval shields of France and Navarre (Fr 465; Gadoury 330; KM 517.9). In NGC holder graded MS 63, a sharply struck choice mint state example with sparkling mint brilliance. Value $2,500 - UP
In 1740 the traditional obverse portrait bust of Louis XV used for the louis d'or aux lunettes ("gold Louis with glasses") was replaced by a new portrait head depicting the king wearing his hair bound by a simple diadem. This new portrait type caused the louis d'or struck between 1740 and 1771 to be described as au bandeau ("with a diadem"). The introduction of this type took place at the same time that Louis XV was revaluing the louis d'or from 20 livres to 24 livres and entering upon on a series of expensive wars beginning with the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748). It is unclear whether the diademed portrait was intended to recall images of Alexander the Great. Regardless, Louis XV was no world conqueror. Most of his wars ended in defeat and his reign saw the loss of much French territory, particularly in the New World.
Louis XV (1715-1774). Gold Half Louis d'or au bandeau, 1743-W (Lille). Large head of king left with hair ribbon. Rev. Crown over two oval shields of France and Navarre (Fr 465; Gadoury 330; KM 517.9). In NGC holder graded MS 63, a sharply struck choice mint state example with sparkling mint brilliance. Value $2,500 - UP
In 1740 the traditional obverse portrait bust of Louis XV used for the louis d'or aux lunettes ("gold Louis with glasses") was replaced by a new portrait head depicting the king wearing his hair bound by a simple diadem. This new portrait type caused the louis d'or struck between 1740 and 1771 to be described as au bandeau ("with a diadem"). The introduction of this type took place at the same time that Louis XV was revaluing the louis d'or from 20 livres to 24 livres and entering upon on a series of expensive wars beginning with the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748). It is unclear whether the diademed portrait was intended to recall images of Alexander the Great. Regardless, Louis XV was no world conqueror. Most of his wars ended in defeat and his reign saw the loss of much French territory, particularly in the New World.