Lot 2413
France. Louis d'Or, 1702-W (Lille). Fr-436. Louis XIV, 1643-1715. Uncirculated with virtually all mint luster intact. The coin glistens with originality. The evidence of double striking is commonplace among these interesting French gold coins. NGC graded MS-63.
* Louis XIV (the 'Sun King'/'Roi Soleil') reigned for 72 years - the longest time of any ruler in a major European nation. In 1661 Louis began his personal rule of France after the death of his chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin, and he became France's most powerful monarch. Louis compelled the general nobility to inhabit his extravagantly magnificent Palace of Versailles and he summed up his attitude to rule by divine right when he asserted 'L'Etat c'est moi!' - I am the State.' Throughout his reign however, he was engaged in unsuccessful expansionist wars, the last of which was the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1713) and the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 ended French supremacy in Europe. Louis was succeeded by his great grandson, Louis XV. All other intermediate potential heirs had died.
Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,800.
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| Realized $1,939 |
