Philippe IV (1285-1314) gold Florin d'Or dit ND (1305) MS61 NGC, Paris mint, Fr-255, Ciani-187 (under Philippe III), Lafaurie-214, Dup-210. 4.73gm. PhILIPP: DЄI: GRA: FRACnORV: REX • (annulet and triple annulet stops), Philippe, crowned, enthroned facing, lis in left hand, scepter in right; lis to either side / +XP'C: VICIT (bar of contraction above first I): XP'C: RЄGИAT: XP'C: ImPЄRAT (triple annulet stops), cross quadrilobée, lis in angles. Among the earliest collectible French hammered gold issues, the Florin d'Or dit or Denier d'Or a la Reine captures upon the trademark iconography of Philippe the Fair's coinage in a style that so often gets busied on his more ornate Chaise d'Or. Clearly drawing upon the success of the Petit Royal d'Or Assis introduced in 1290--which itself drew from the design of Henry III of England's gold Penny of 20 Pence--the coin seen here reproduces this imagery in a larger module, forecasting both the popularity of the motifs and their association with the success of the French monetary system inaugurated under Philippe's reign. Having succeeded where Henry failed, the gold Petit Royal had managed to reach widespread circulation on account of its high quality and parity with the Florentine Florin. Certainly highlighting the emblem of the lis, a longtime symbol of the French monarchy, the offering follows a careful simplicity in its composition that both allows for great attention to detail and doesn't strain the eye. Each letter and feature of the king's portrait feels as though it has been carefully cut and rendered with not a feature out of place. Not a coin that is made available often, let alone in Mint State.

HID09801242017

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