Description

The Famed 10 Louis d'Or - A Royal Gambling Piece and the Largest Denomination Struck in FranceLouis XIII gold Early Restrike 10 Louis d'Or 1640-A MS61 NGC, Paris mint, cf. KM115, Fr-405 (Original; same dies), Gad-63 (R5; same), Ciani-1606-1607 (this type on the cover), Dup-1293. 67.11gm. An impressive coin and a true testament to the opulence of mid-17th century France. The largest denomination ever produced in the kingdom, specimens such as this were hardly intended for common circulation, but rather would have been used as royal gambling pieces, meant to signify one's winnings and the ability to push even more across the table. While the question of restrikes has long been a subject of contention within this series, it seems that, based on the discussion concerning the Lawrence Adams specimen that we resold in January 2018 (Auction #3061, Lot 32199), this might be related to the differing purities of the representatives. In regards to that specific example, Sylvia Hurter suggested that it had been produced two centuries later during the reign of Napoleon III. The Standard Catalog of World Coins notes that such restrikes were produced around 1950, though we suspect that may well be an error for c. 1850. That said, the present offering notably carries the same diagnostic die crack that extends from the King's shoulder up to his cheek as is seen on the plate coins in both Friedberg and Gadoury, and it is noticeably free of any die rust, suggesting that original dies were used to produce this selection, and all but confirming that a restrike two to three centuries afterward is highly unlikely.

Metal:Gold

Diameter:49mm