Lot 545
France. Ecu, 1716-A (Paris). Dav-1326; Cr-20.1. Louis XV, 1710-1774. Draped, bare-headed youthful portrait. Reverse: Large crown upon "global" crest. Evidence of striking over earlier type, producing a shallow portrait. Considerable luster and lovely, slightly dappled iridescent silvery blue and mauve toning. NGC graded MS-63.
Introduced in 1641 as the Louis d'argent, France's ecu d'argent was born out of a need to put the country's increasingly disordered currency on a more rational footing, not only for home use but especially to update it so that it could compete more rationally in international markets. Because the new coin was tariffed in relation to the gold ecu, the name soon became attached to the new silver coin. After all this, sadly, stability remained an elusive ideal for France's currency. From 1689 to 1715 there were five "reformations," or demonetizing of coinage then current, followed by new issues often at inflated values -- all accomplished to provide the Crown with a profit for its efforts. To save expenses, the coins were not melted but simply restruck with a new design over the old. Thus on this ecu of 1716 we see a coin made for the young Louis XV struck over one of Louis XIV (Dav-1324.5). It dramatically illustrates French coinage history at the beginning of the Age of Reason.
Estimated Value $300 - 400.
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| Realized $1,208 |
