Lot 544
France. Ecu d'Argent of 8 Livres, 1691-P (Dijon). Dav-3811; KM-275.13; Ciani-1873; Gadoury-216; Duplessy-1514. 27.36 grams. Louis XIV, 1643-1715. Draped, wigged bust of Louis right, sun "initial mark" within legend. Reverse: Crowned, cruciform design of 8 "L"s, with the mintmark bold within the central device. Obverse die showing some wear and retooling; the reverse die fresh. Crisp strike, on bright to reflective fields. Fields very clean, with attractive light silvery blue and lilac iridescent toning. An exceptional coin, and scarce in this grade. NGC graded MS-61.
Louis XIV was a dominant personality in European affairs for over seventy years. His flamboyance and aggression involved France in more wars than it could afford. So Louis, although revered by his citizens, may have been an overall negative force in French history. His coinage was extensive, and this Ecu is about as beautiful an artistic rendering in metal as one could imagine.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
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| Realized $2,990 |
