$7,820.00 USD
Struck in Paris at the dawn of Louis XIV’s reign, this 1641-A France Gold 1 Louis d’Or “Long Curl”, graded NGC MS61, marks the introduction of a new regal coinage type that would define French gold for over a century. Issued during the final years of Louis XIII and the early minority of Louis XIV, this piece inaugurated the Louis d’Or denomination—a cornerstone of Ancien Régime monetary policy.
Obverse: Features a right-facing laureate bust of the young Louis XIV, distinguished by his distinctive flowing “long curl” hairstyle. The Latin legend LVDOVICVS XIIII D G FR ET NAV REX affirms his divine-right kingship over France and Navarre. The portrait’s mature engraving reflects the influence of Renaissance realism in early Baroque numismatic art.
Reverse: Exhibits a cruciform arrangement of four “L” monograms, crowned and interspersed with fleurs-de-lis, with the Paris “A” mintmark and date below. The clean symmetry and heraldic symbolism evoke stability and legitimacy in a period of dynastic transition.
In MS61, this coin stands among the best-preserved examples of this historic first-year type. Its sharp strike, rich luster, and lightly handled surfaces place it at the upper end of known specimens. As a first-issue Louis d’Or with exceptional visual appeal and historical weight, this piece is a foundational acquisition for collectors of Bourbon France, early milled coinage, or 17th-century European gold.
