Lot 548
France. 2 Louis d'Or, 1777-W (Lille). Fr-470; KM-575.14. Louis XVI, 1774-1792. Uniformed bust left. Reverse: Crown over two oval shields. Light surface flaking (caused by poor annealing of the gold alloy at the mint, typical of coins of this period), but lustrous and sharp overall, showing the classic, arrogant portrait of this infamous monarch. NGC graded MS-63.
Louis XVI was the unfortunate recipient of the wrath of the French people. His execution on the guillotine changed the mindset of Europe forever. His rule was not particularly heinous, just a continuance of the practices which so aggrieved the populace for centuries. This Double Louis was the gold coin of the realm leading up to the French Revolution in 1789. In short order it would be replaced with a decimalized coinage based on the Franc, under Napoleon.
Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,000.
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| Realized $6,325 |
