3186) Louis XIII, France: "Ors de France": A Historical and Emblematic effigy of the Emperor first depicted on Coinage in 1640, now featured on Gold and Silver Collector Coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint): Year of Coins issue: 2024:
The Header/Banner showcases the Gold and Silver coins of Louis XIII presented against a background portrait of the King dressed in Royal Robes.
The Monnaie de Paris has released the second set of Gold and Silver Collector Coins which are part of the series titled “Ors de France,” which highlights some of the country’s most historic, memorable, and sought-after coins with avid collectors.
Launched last year, the three-part series began with designs focusing on the reign of Emperor Napoleon III (r. 1852–1870) and the distinctive gold coins issued during that era.
Since 2008, Monnaie de Paris has embarked on an ambitious project initiated every three years to honour and feature the symbols and motifs of French Numismatics by revisiting the classic and popular designs through the release of contemporary Euro Coinage.
After “the Sower,” “Hercules,” “the Rooster,” and “Marianne,” as well as “Symbols of Nature” designs, 2023 begins a series of three historical and emblematic coins that have greatly contributed to French numismatic heritage during the Imperial era.
Reign of King Louis XIII (r. 1610-1643):
The second release highlights the reign of King Louis XIII (r. 1610–1643) during which time, France underwent a significant monetary reform.
The reasons for the reform were primarily economic, to stabilise the royal currency and restore the confidence of the country’s currency to French subjects.
During the summer of 1640, this reform was conducted in France, when new denominations were introduced.
King Louis XIII abolished France’s unpopular coinage of francs and ecus in favour of a new coinage modelled on their Spanish counterparts.
The new Louis d’Argent was a large-size coin minted of 24.93 grams of fine silver and valued at 3 livres tournois.
For the new Louis d’Or, Spain’s Doubloon or two-Escudo coin served as the model minted from 6.189 grams of fine gold and valued at 10 livres.
The new coins were noteworthy as they were the first French coins to have been minted using a mechanical machinery system enabling the production of coins at a much faster rate and with greater precision.
The term Louis d’Or continued to be used to refer to these gold coins which were minted from their introduction in 1640 until the abolition of the old-style monarchy in 1792.
These coins were ultimately replaced with similar gold coins introduced by Emperor Napoleon I (r. 1804–1814) with a face value of 20 francs.
At 6.5 grams, they were slightly lighter in weight and a lower fineness of ninety percent fine gold.
On the Reverse of the 250 Euro (Gold) and 20, 20, 100 Euro (Silver) Coins is included the recreated right facing effigy, which is placed on the left side.
The first Louis d’Or coins included an effigy of King Louis XIII of France created by Engraver Jean Varin. He portrayed the King facing right and wearing a laureate wreath and is surrounded by the legend in abbreviated Latin "LVD·XIII·D·G·FR·ET·NAV·REX:" (translated as "Louis XIII by the grace of God King of France and Navarre".
The year of minting 1640 is shown below the King’s effigy.
The Reverse was a simple yet classic design which depicted the King’s royal crowned monogram shown in cruciform and with fleur de lis in each quarter.
The inscription "CHRS· ·REGN· ·VINC· ·IMP" is an abbreviated Latin motto translated as Christ reigns, conquers and commands.
The second design in the current series is created by Joaquin Jimenez, Senior engraver at the Monnaie de Paris. The design includes a recreation of the effigy shown on original Louis d’or coinage.
To the left of the portrait is a background pattern the royal crowned monogram of Louis XIII and the fleur de lis.
The letter "A" in the centre of the monograms denoted the Mint of Paris, where the original coins were produced. The additional inscription "LIBERTE EGALITE and FRATERNITE" are separated by miniature fleur de lis and shown to the right of the King’s portrait along the rim and the year of issue "2024".
The Reverse is common to the entirety of the series and highlights the three eras to which the inspirations of this trilogy belong.
Set in a hexagon, these three graphic friezes comprise patterns of "Imperial eagles", "Fleur de lis" and "Jerusalem crosses" – referencing Napoleon I’s titular claim as King of Jerusalem.
They are arranged side by side to interpret the French flag in its heraldic form. The face value, the initials "RF" and the Monnaie de Paris’ mint marks complete the composition.
The Specifications of the Coin Variants are:
i) Gold Coin Variant:
Country: Republic of France (Republique Francaise); Year of Coin issue: 2024; Coin Series Theme: "Historical and Emblematic Coin Series"; Coin Theme: Numismatic issues of Louis XIII of France"; Denomination: 250 Euro; Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 2.50 grams; Diameter/Size: 18.00 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Mintage: 15,000 pieces; Designer/Engraver: Joaquin Jimenez, Senior engraver at the Monnaie de Paris.
ii) Silver Coin Variant (One):
Country: Republic of France (Republique Francaise); Year of Coin issue: 2024; Coin Series Theme: "Historical and Emblematic Coin Series"; Coin Theme: Numismatic issues of Louis XIII of France"; Denomination: 20 Euro; Metal Composition: .900 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 16.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 33.00 mm; Coin Quality: Uncirculated (U); Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Mintage: 75,000 pieces; Designer/Engraver: Joaquin Jimenez, Senior engraver at the Monnaie de Paris.
iii) Silver Coin Variant (Two):
Country: Republic of France (Republique Francaise); Year of Coin issue: 2024; Coin Series Theme: "Historical and Emblematic Coin Series"; Coin Theme: Numismatic issues of Louis XIII of France"; Denomination: 20 Euro; Metal Composition: .900 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 16.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 33.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Mintage: 3,000 pieces; Designer/Engraver: Joaquin Jimenez, Senior engraver at the Monnaie de Paris.
iv) Silver Coin Variant (Three):
Country: Republic of France (Republique Francaise); Year of Coin issue: 2023; Coin Series Theme: "Historical and Emblematic Coin Series"; Coin Theme: Numismatic issues of Louis XIII of France"; Denomination: 100 Euro; Metal Composition: .900 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 45.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 47.00 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Mintage: 10,000 pieces; Designer/Engraver: Joaquin Jimenez, Senior engraver at the Monnaie de Paris.
- The Coins are offered for their face value of 20, 100, and 250 euros, which are encapsulated and presented in a folder-type case accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
- This new Series entitled “Ors de France” concludes in 2025.
Links:
1) For more on the Olympics and Paralympics held in the past, including the origins and history of the Olympics and Commemorative coins issued both on London Olympics and Paralympics please read my post on the London Olympics 2012 link as follows: History of the ancient & modern Olympics and Paralympics & commemorative coins issued during the London Olympics and Paralympics
4) For Rio 2016, please click on the following link to get interesting insights into the mascots of the Rio Olympics Vinicius and Tom, the Games and the Commemorative Coins and stamps issue programme: 1)The 31st Summer Olympics "Rio 2016"2) Commemorative Stamps and booklets issued by the Department of Posts, India on 05.08.2016
5) For Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity, please click on the following link: Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity
6) For a set of Post cards titled "Olympic Events" : please click on the following link: "Olympic Events": A set of 12 Post Cards issued by the Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 11.07.2016
7) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "Spirit of Olympics, Athens, Atlanta" please visit the following link: Spirit of the Olympic Games, Athens-Atlanta: Celebrating the Centenary of the Modern Olympic Games
8) For a presentation set of four stamps titled "XXVIII Olympic Games" (2004 Summer Olympics Athens, Greece, please visit the following link: XVIII Summer Olympic Games, Athens Greece (2004)
9) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "XXIX Olympic Games" (2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing, China, please visit the following link: XXIX Olympic Games Beijing, China: 08.08.08- 24.08.08: A Presentation set of four stamps issued by India Post on 08.08.08
Links to other posts in Metropolis Tiffany Art Coin Series:
Links to other Coins in the Cyborg Revolution Coin Series" issued in this Series:
Links:
Most Haunted Places Coin Series:
Links to other posts on Metropolis Tiffany Art Coin Series:
The 7-Summits Silver Coin Series:
For other interesting posts on honouring the work done for the blind/visually impaired persons please visit the following links:
1) A tour of Pune's Blind School and interaction with the students - a short story
2) A two-Rupee coin issued by the Indian Mints honouring Louis Braille on the occasion of his 200th Birth Anniversary in 2009 and a brief report on the Braille system
6) Honouring Louis Braille on the Bicentenary of his birth in 2009
Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very interesting and informative post 👍"
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab.
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