$7,763.00 USD
Struck under King François I, the Renaissance monarch of France, this 1515–1547 Écu d’or, graded NGC MS62, exemplifies the enduring legacy of French gold coinage during an era of territorial ambition, humanist patronage, and military innovation. François I’s reign marked the cultural flourishing of the French Renaissance and ongoing rivalry with the Habsburgs—reflected in his regal, highly standardized coinage.
Obverse: Features a quadranted royal shield of France with alternating lions and fleurs-de-lis, encircled by a Latin legend affirming François I’s authority. The precise symmetry and crisp engraving signal a shift toward more uniform Renaissance-era die production.
Reverse: Displays a floriated long cross fleury with fleurs-de-lis at the ends and in the angles, contained within a beaded circle. The design evokes the sacred legitimacy of royal power and France’s dynastic continuity.
Graded MS62, this example is unusually well-preserved for a hammered gold issue from early 16th-century France. Its near-complete legends, sharply defined devices, and bright luster make it a premier specimen. The coin’s combination of artistry, preservation, and historical resonance offers outstanding appeal for collectors of Renaissance gold or early modern European monarchs.
