Heritage World Coin Auctions
March Signature Sale 3096 25-27 Mar 2021
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France
Louis XIII gold 4 Louis d'Or 1640-A AU Details (Mount Removed) NGC, Paris mint, KM111, Fr-408, Gad-60 (R5), Ciani-1610, Dup-1296. 26.83gm. Of astonishing preservation for this incredibly rare Quatre Louis d'or type, of which perhaps only seven are thought to exist today. Known as a "Homage-Piece," the large gold pieces of this type were struck for presentation to the King by the engraver Jean Warin as a preview before the adoption of a new monetary system, and were often used as currency for the King's table games. The present specimen vastly exceeds the quality of the other three examples we could locate adequate images of, including the Gadoury plate coin, which display significantly more wear than is seen here. In fact, circulation wear is absolutely minimal, the features retaining exquisite highpoint detail, most markedly portrayed in Louis' hair curls and the intricate reverse crowns, while the legends remain consistently sharp throughout the obverse and reverse alike. All the while, a lustrous gleam resides over the fields, confirming a decidedly near-Mint preservation. Only faint traces of a prior mount, likely an artifact traceable to an individual of some importance due to the nature of the piece, serves as the only (insignificant) flaw to what is by all accounts a survivor of prodigious numismatic importance.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/france/france-louis-xiii-gold-4-louis-d-or-1640-a-au-details-mount-removed-ngc-/a/3096-30160.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 60000-80000 USD
Louis XIII gold 4 Louis d'Or 1640-A AU Details (Mount Removed) NGC, Paris mint, KM111, Fr-408, Gad-60 (R5), Ciani-1610, Dup-1296. 26.83gm. Of astonishing preservation for this incredibly rare Quatre Louis d'or type, of which perhaps only seven are thought to exist today. Known as a "Homage-Piece," the large gold pieces of this type were struck for presentation to the King by the engraver Jean Warin as a preview before the adoption of a new monetary system, and were often used as currency for the King's table games. The present specimen vastly exceeds the quality of the other three examples we could locate adequate images of, including the Gadoury plate coin, which display significantly more wear than is seen here. In fact, circulation wear is absolutely minimal, the features retaining exquisite highpoint detail, most markedly portrayed in Louis' hair curls and the intricate reverse crowns, while the legends remain consistently sharp throughout the obverse and reverse alike. All the while, a lustrous gleam resides over the fields, confirming a decidedly near-Mint preservation. Only faint traces of a prior mount, likely an artifact traceable to an individual of some importance due to the nature of the piece, serves as the only (insignificant) flaw to what is by all accounts a survivor of prodigious numismatic importance.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/france/france-louis-xiii-gold-4-louis-d-or-1640-a-au-details-mount-removed-ngc-/a/3096-30160.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 60000-80000 USD