Silver Ecu – Louis XV – France Pau Mint – 1765

Description

Denomination: Silver Ecu

Period: House of Bourbon

Date: 1765

Origin: Pau mint issued for the province of Bearn

Condition: Fine

Obverse: Bust of Louis facing left. legend around LVD.XV.D.G.FR.ET.NA.RE BD(ligate). Tulip below bust (engravers privy mark)

Reverse: Crowned oval of fleur-de-lis. wreath below. date. legend SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTUM. cow mint mark below for Bearn

Size and Weight: 41mm. 29.5g

References: KM#518

Features and Provenance: Born 1710. Louis XV was king of France from 1715 until his death in 17174. He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five. In 1725 he married Maria Leszcynska who bore him 10 children and an heir. Although Louis had been loved in his youth. gaining him the nickname ‘Louis the Beloved.’ in his later years his fiscal irresponsibility and politics contributed to the decline of royal authority leading to the French Revolution in 1788.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible