France 1664-L ecu
This specimen was lot 73015 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it sold for $312. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. Ecu, 1664-L. Bayonne Mint. Louis XIV. NGC VF-25. Despite some circulation, this Ecu delivers good details and rich color that highlights and adds to the charm of this piece. Ex: Morris Collection." The specimen shown is a écu au buste juvénile struck at the Bayonne mint during the reign of Louis XIV. It was offered again as lot 72009 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2023), where it sold for $192. Droulers[2] devotes catalog numbers 444 thru 449 to describe the numerous variations of this bust, introduced in 1659 when the king was 21 years old. This particular bust was used only at Bayonne 1664, 1668, 1672. Altho the succeeding bust, the écu à la cravate, was introduced in 1672, écus juvéniles are known dated as late as 1680.
Recorded mintage: unknown but common for an écu juvénile.
Specification: 27.45 g, 0.917 fine silver, 37-41 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by Jean Warin.
Catalog reference: Gad-205, Dr/4 № 448, Dr/2 № 324, Dav-3802; KM-211.3.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
- [2]Droulers, Frédéric, Répertoire General des Monnaies de Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610-1792), 4e édition. Paris: AFPN, 2009.
- Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Royales Françaises, 1610-1792, 5me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2018.
- George Sobin, Jr., The Silver Crowns of France, 1640-1973. Teaneck, NJ: Richard Margolis, 1974.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
Link to:
- 1663-L écu au buste juvénile
- 1663 écu du Béarn au buste juvénile, Pau mint
- 1664-D douzième d'écu au buste juvénile
- 1664-& douzième d'écu au buste juvénile
- 1664-9 écu au buste juvénile
- 1664 écu du Béarn au buste juvénile, Pau mint
- 1664-A louis d'or au buste juvénile
- 1664-D louis d'or juvénile
- 1665-L écu au buste juvénile
- 1665 écu du Béarn au buste juvénile, Pau mint
- Coins and currency dated 1664
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)