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Message:: [QUOTE="GDJMSP, post: 126334, member: 112"]The design is known as the franc a cheval - the very first franc issued by France. The coin has an amazing history as it was struck and issued for one reason only - the pay the ransom for the French King of the time, Jean le Bon ( John II ). He was captured in battle by his arch enemy The Black Prince, Edward of England during the 100 Years War. Part of the ransom was eventually paid after Jean had been held in captivity for 3 years and Jean was freed. But when his son refused to continue making the ransom payments, in order to uphold his honor, Jean returned to captivity in England voluntarily where he died a few months later. Although the coins were struck by nearly all of the mints under French authority, this particular coin was minted in Flanders by the Count Louis De Male in 1364. The coins struck by this mint are also known as a cavalier d'or. This example has been graded & slabbed by NGC as MS64. According to them it is the finest example they have ever seen.[/QUOTE]