This finally arrived last week - didn't think it would ever get here !! I don't know what it is exactly that fascinates me so about the coinage of Louis XIIII - but it does The 1650-N Louis d'or, slabbed and graded by NGC MS62.
GDJMSP,it is definitely not a Second Semester issue. If it were one,there would be a dot below the third letter of the King's name.I do know why the coins of King Louis XIV fascinates you.It is because King Louis XIV was know as the Sun King (or Le Roi Soleil in French). What denomination is this coin?
Aidan - There were no second semester strikes for the coinage of Louis XIIII. This practice did not start until the reign of Louis XV. The denomination is the Louis d'or. As for him being the Sun King, that's not the reason. Most of the coins from his later years have no interest to me at all. I find the designs ugly and unappealing. I think it is perhaps because he was a child king for it is only the designs of the coins of his early & adolescent years that hold interest for me.
I actually just like coins of this period altogether, regardless of country. France i find slightly more interesting than most though as France is the stereotypical example of the old absolute monarchy setup of government. Plus i've got a thing about 17th/18th century 'wig' coins. I'm seemingly building up a right collection of wigs without even trying!
Nice coin GD. I was wondering do the later coins of Louie have crosses as well? Alot of the coins that you post do have that quality. Then again, perhaps all coins of that period have the crosses to reinforce the devine right to rule concept and you not collecting god, so to speak. I can't wait to get my books so I could look that up myself.
No Andy they don't all have the cross design but many do. During this time period in history religion was a very powerful force and cross design in one form another was common on the coinage of most nations. But a hundred years later - things were different. I know about the book you are waiting on - but for French coinage, you don't need to wait HERE
Nice website. I already saved it on favorites. As for your coin, I think I see a cross on top of the crown. GD I'm telling you, you subconsious is looking for religion.
I rather doubt it Andy as I found my religion many years ago. Of course there was those 7 years I studied for the priesthood
7 years. Yeah, I guess you know more then religion then. But I still think that your subconsious is looking for coins with a cross in them. Then again, I usually don't think much.