Ecu of Navarre with long wick - Louis XIV
| Uitgever | France |
|---|---|
| Jaar | 1652-1662 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Waarde | 1 Silver Ecu |
| Valuta | Livre tournois (987-1795) |
| Samenstelling | Silver |
| Gewicht | 27.45 g |
| Diameter | 40 mm |
| Dikte | |
| Vorm | Round |
| Techniek | Milled |
| Oriëntatie | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Graveur(s) | Jean Warin |
| In omloop tot | |
| Referentie(s) | Dy royales#1473, Ciani#1854 |
| Beschrijving voorzijde | Young bust of Louis XIV facing right. |
|---|---|
| Schrift voorzijde | Latin |
| Opschrift voorzijde |
LVD.XIII.D.G. FR.ET.NA REX. (Translation: Louis XIV by the grace of God king of France and Navarre.) |
| Beschrijving keerzijde | Crowned shield of France and Navarre. |
| Schrift keerzijde | Latin |
| Opschrift keerzijde |
SIT.NOMEN.DOMINI BENEDICTVM.1660 (Translation: Blessed be the name of the Lord.) |
| Rand | Smooth |
| Muntplaats |
♣ Saint-Palais, France V Saint-Palais, France |
| Oplage |
1652 V - - 1653 V - - 1654 V - - 1655 V - - 1656 V - - 1657 V - - 1658 V - - 1659 ♣ - - 1660 ♣ - - 1661 ♣ - - 1662 ♣ - - |
| Numisquare-ID | 1061047730 |
| Aanvullende informatie |
×
![]()
Historical Context: This Ecu of Navarre, dated 1652-1662, places it squarely in the early reign of Louis XIV, a period of significant consolidation of royal power following the tumultuous Fronde (1648-1653). Though declared of age in 1651, the young king's rule was heavily influenced by Cardinal Mazarin until his death in 1661. The "Navarre" designation reflects the continued integration of the Kingdom of Navarre into the French crown, a legacy of Henri IV. This coinage served to assert the monarchy's authority and stability amidst the lingering political and economic aftermath of civil strife, reinforcing the divine right of kings through its iconography.
Artistry: The coinage of early Louis XIV's reign, including this Ecu, reflects the prevailing Baroque style, characterized by a dignified classicism and a sense of grandeur. While specific engraver signatures are uncommon on these early issues, the dies were produced by master engravers often associated with the Monnaie de Paris or major provincial mints. The obverse typically features a youthful, laureated bust of Louis XIV, while the reverse displays the crowned arms of France-Navarre. The distinctive "long wick" refers to the elongated flame atop the royal crown, a specific artistic detail that helps differentiate this type from others, emphasizing royal authority and divine illumination.
Technical/Grading: For this silver Ecu (27.45 gg, 40 mm), critical grading points include the sharpness of Louis XIV's youthful portrait, particularly the details of his hair, laurel wreath, and the drapery of his mantle. On the reverse, the intricate design of the crowned arms of France-Navarre demands scrutiny, especially the fleur-de-lis and the chains of Navarre. The "long wick" flame on the crown is a delicate feature prone to wear, making its full definition a premium. Overall strike quality, planchet evenness, and the absence of significant adjustment marks are paramount for high-grade examples of this early machine-struck coinage.