$16,038.00 USD
The Louis d'Or was the premier French gold coin of the 17th–18th centuries, introduced under Louis XIII and continued by Louis XIV. These gold coins served as both a monetary standard and a symbol of royal power. The 1690s issues are known as "Louis d'or aux 4 L" for their distinctive reverse design featuring four interlocking "L" monograms.
This specific coin, dated 1694 and bearing the "M" mintmark of Toulouse, was produced during the Nine Years' War when France undertook a significant recoinage. Many older coins were recalled and restruck (flans réformés), meaning 1694 pieces were often struck over earlier coins. Despite this reuse of metal, the coins were produced with advanced milled techniques using engine-driven screw presses, ensuring relatively round planchets and lettered edges.
The obverse features Louis XIV's laureate portrait with a Latin legend identifying him as Louis XIV, by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarre. The laureate (wreathed) head was a deliberate image of victory and sovereignty, reinforcing Louis's status as an absolute monarch. The 1694 portrait shows the "old head" of Louis XIV in a long wig with a laurel wreath.
The reverse displays a majestic cruciform arrangement of four crowned letter "L"s, with royal fleurs-de-lis in the angles and the mintmark at center. This elegant "cross of L's" emblem gives the type its nickname and visually represents the king's name radiating in four directions.
Graded NGC MS62, this coin is in Mint State, meaning it was never circulated and retains full detail with just minor contact marks or planchet imperfections. For a gold coin struck in 1694—over 330 years ago—achieving MS62 is extraordinarily rare. Most Louis d'Or of Louis XIV were circulated heavily or later melted; survivors are usually in VF to EF (Very Fine to Extremely Fine) condition.
