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

The reign of Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, marked an era of splendor and centralization of power in France from 1643 to 1715. During this period, coins played a crucial role in the economy and royal propaganda, reflecting the grandeur and ambition of Europe's longest reigning monarch.

The monetary system under Louis XIV

Louis XIV inherited a complex and fragmented monetary system, which he decided to reform in order to strengthen the French economy. In 1640, the gold louis was introduced, which became the reference currency during his reign. This coin, bearing the effigy of the king, symbolized the centralization of power and the monetary unification of the kingdom. In addition, silver écus and copper coins were minted for everyday use. Louis XIV's monetary policy was characterized by frequent manipulations of the value of coins, known as "mutations monétaires", which allowed him to increase the income of the royal treasury in times of need, especially during the costly wars he fought.

Iconography and propaganda on Louis XIV's coins

Louis XIV's coins not only served an economic function, but were also a powerful propaganda tool. The iconography of the coins evolved throughout his reign, reflecting the image the king wanted to project. In the first issues, Louis appeared as a young monarch, but over time, his representation became more majestic and symbolic. Latin legends extolling his virtues and achievements were introduced, such as "NECDURIBUS IMPAR" (To none inferior) on the gold Louis. The coins also commemorated important events, such as military victories or peace treaties, serving as a means of visual communication that reached all corners of the kingdom and beyond its borders, consolidating the image of Louis XIV as the most powerful monarch in Europe.

The most valuable and popular coins

The most valuable Louis XIV (Sun) (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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