Louis XIV (Ecu) (1643-1715) Coin List

The reign of Louis XIV of France, also known as the Sun King, lasted from 1643 to 1715, marking an era of splendor and centralization of monarchical power. During this period, major changes occurred in the French monetary system, reflecting the grandeur and ambition of the monarch.

The monetary system under Louis XIV

Under the reign of Louis XIV, the French monetary system underwent a significant evolution. The monarch implemented several reforms to standardize and centralize coinage, seeking to strengthen the economy of the kingdom. The most emblematic coin of this period was the Écu d'argent, a silver piece that became the basis of the monetary system. The Écu was divided into smaller fractions such as the demi-écu and the quart d'écu, facilitating daily transactions. In addition, gold coins were minted such as the Louis d'or, which represented the power and wealth of the French crown.

Innovations and symbolism in the coins of Louis XIV

Coins minted during the reign of Louis XIV not only served an economic function, but also served as powerful propaganda tools. The designs on these pieces reflected the greatness of the monarch, with detailed portraits of the Sun King and symbols of power such as the radiant sun and fleur-de-lis. An important innovation was the introduction of the inscription on the edge of the coins, a measure to prevent counterfeiting and illegal clipping of precious metal. In addition, Louis XIV ordered the creation of commemorative medals to celebrate important events of his reign, such as military victories and architectural achievements, thus consolidating his legacy through numismatics.

The most valuable and popular coins

The most valuable Louis XIV (Ecu) (1643-1715) coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:

The valuation of these coins list has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.

Old coins of France

To facilitate their classification, we have decided to organise the coins according to their historical period, you can consult the coins by historical numismatic categories of France.

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