1651 Gold Louis D'Or NGC MS62

This 1651 Louis d'Or was struck during the early reign of King Louis XIV of France (the "Sun King"), when he was still a child monarch under the regency of his mother. This period coincided with the end of the Fronde civil wars, with Louis assuming personal rule a decade later in 1661.

Obverse: Features a right-facing, laureate bust of the young Louis XIV, with short, curly hair. The surrounding legend reads: “LVD. XIIII. D. G. FR. ET. NAV. REX” (Louis XIV, by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarre). The date “1651” is positioned below the bust.

Reverse: Displays a cross formed by four pairs of back-to-back, crowned “L”s, with fleurs-de-lis in the angles. The legend “CHRS. REGN. VINC. IMP.” (Christ reigns, conquers, commands) encircles the design, emphasizing the divine right of kings.

Each Louis d'Or was struck in .917 fine gold on a screw-press (milled coinage) weighing approximately 6.7 grams. The mintmark greatly influences rarity and value, with Paris ("A") being most common (over 993,000 minted in 1651) while provincial mints like Arras ("AR") produced as few as 1,000 coins.

Graded NGC MS62, this coin exhibits sharp details and original golden luster, with minimal marks for its age. It is a rare survivor from the mid-17th century, reflecting the consolidation of French power under the guidance of Cardinal Mazarin, just before Louis XIV would assume full control and embark on his legendary rule.