France 1705-S ecu
This specimen was lot 30748 in Heritage sale 3064 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $1,170. The catalog description[1] noted, "Louis XIV Ecu 1705-S AU55 NGC. This mysterious example bears the mintmark 'S' and the date 1705, a combination unlisted in KM; consequently it is the only one graded across PCGS and NGC, and potentially unique. Its grade owes far more to its soft striking than to any particular wear, and is nonetheless a beautiful example, awash with light gold toning, hinting at a deeper red in places. Merits the utmost attention from collectors for its rarity and significance." Shown is a écu aux huit L, deuxieme type (écu with 8 L's, 2nd type) struck for France at the Reims mint in the last years of Louis XIV's reign. The type was struck until 1709; there are also quarter and half écus struck during this period with this design. This date is a better date.
Recorded mintage: 15,648, all fn.
Specification: 27.45 g, 0.917 fine silver, edge lettered "DOMINE SALVUM FAC REGEM", designed by Joseph Röettiers.
Catalog reference: Dav-1320, Dr/4 № 518, Dr/2 № 436, Gad-224.
- 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.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3064, featuring the Doug Robins Collection of Canadian Tokens, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.
- George Sobin, Jr., The Silver Crowns of France, 1640-1973. Teaneck, NJ: Richard Margolis, 1974.
Link to:
- 1705-AA 10 sols aux quatre couronnes
- 1705-BB 10 sols aux quatre couronnes
- 1705-A quart d'écu aux huit L
- 1705-W quart d'écu aux huit L
- 1705-BB 33 sols de Strasbourg
- 1705-A demi-écu aux huit L
- 1705-C demi-écu aux huit L
- 1705-W demi-écu de Flandre
- 1705-A écu aux huit L, deuxieme type
- 1705-L écu aux huit L, deuxieme type
- 1705-T écu aux huit L, deuxieme type
- 1705-W écu aux huit L
- 1705-A louis d'or aux insignes
- 1705-L louis d'or aux insignes
- 1705-A double louis d'or aux insignes aux cheveux longs
- 1705-W double louis d'or aux insignes aux cheveux longs
- Coins and currency dated 1705
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)