$3,500.00 USD
The Écu d'Or à la Couronne ("crowned shield of gold") was introduced in 1385 during the reign of King Charles VI of France, a pivotal period during the Hundred Years' War with England. This gold coin replaced the earlier franc, with similar gold content (approximately 4.0g of nearly pure gold) but a slightly higher face value (22½ sols tournois compared to 20 for the franc).
Charles VI, sometimes called "Charles the Mad" due to periods of mental illness later in his reign, ruled France during a tumultuous time of conflict with England and internal political strife. The écu d'or was produced from 1385 until his death in 1422 in multiple emissions, with slight reductions in weight over time (down to approximately 3.7g by 1420) as war and economic pressures affected the kingdom's finances
Obverse: Displays a crowned shield bearing the royal coat of arms of France (three fleurs-de-lis on a field) beneath a large crown. The Latin legend reads "+ KAROLVS DEI GRACIA FRANCORVM REX," translating to "Charles, by the Grace of God, King of the French.
Reverse: Shows an ornate floriated cross within a quadrilobe (four-lobed border) with lilies and crowns in the angles. The surrounding Latin legend reads "+ XPC VINCIT XPC REGNAT XPC INPERAT," a common medieval motto meaning "Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands.
These design elements symbolize both royal power and divine authority, consistent with medieval political theology that portrayed monarchs as ruling by divine right. The subject coin's NGC MS62 grade represents an extraordinary level of preservation for a medieval hammered gold coin minted approximately 600 years ago. This grade indicates:
