1346-84 Flanders Chaise d'Or Louis II De Male FR.163 PCGS MS63

The 1346-1384 Flanders Gold Franc was issued under Louis II de Mâle, Count of Flanders from 1346 until 1384. This era encompassed the late Middle Ages, including the Hundred Years' War and the Black Death, during which Flanders was a wealthy trade hub. Louis II inherited the county after his father's death at the Battle of Crécy in 1346.

Obverse: Louis II seated on a Gothic throne, holding a sword upright in his right hand and a shield emblazoned with the Flemish lion in his left. The surrounding Latin legend reads "LVDOVIC⁰ DEI GRĀ COMĒS Z DNS FLANDRIĒ" (Louis by the grace of God, Count and Lord of Flanders).

Reverse: A floriated cross within a quatrefoil (quadrilobe), with trefoil and rosette motifs in the angles. Around the cross is the motto "XPC VINCIT XPC REGNAT XPC IMPERAT" (abbreviating Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat), which translates to "Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands."

These gold francs were hammered coins (struck by hand), typical of 14th-century minting. Each coin was about 4.4-4.5 grams of fine gold (approximately 0.14 troy oz). Numismatic references catalog this type as Friedberg #163, Delmonte #466. It was likely struck at major Flemish mints such as Ghent or Mechelen (Malines).

The subject coin is graded PCGS MS63, indicating a well-preserved, "Choice Uncirculated" specimen with attractive surfaces:

• The coin shows no wear from circulation and retains original mint luster
• This is extraordinary for a 14th-century gold coin: most medieval coins that survive were circulated or buried, typically grading much lower (VF or XF at best) 
• An MS63 coin has sharp detail and only minor marks or planchet flaws visible under magnification
• The PCGS description of a similar piece notes a "strong even strike with bold complete legends on a broad flan" and "smooth satiny surfaces

For context, an NGC MS62 of this same type was sold by a dealer for $5,950, showing that even a one-point grade increase to MS63 yields a significant premium. The MS63 coin features vibrant luster and "sharp detail of the king and nearly full legend" – traits scarcely found on this issue.

4.47g