France, Kingdom. François I le Restaurateur des Lettres (the Restorer of Letters, 1515-1547) AV Écu d’or. Bayonne mint, 5th type 3rd emission, struck from 21 July 1519. ✠ D : (anchor) : FRANCISCVS : DEI : G : FRANCORVM : REX, crowned coat-of-arms of France, sunburst above / :✠: D : (anchor) : XPS : VINCIT : XPS : REGNAT : XPS : IMPER, Cross fleurdelisée with pellet within quatrefoil at centre; cantoned with F in second and fourth quarters, lis in first and third. Duplessy 775; Friedberg 345. 3.45g, 25mm, 10h.

Good Extremely Fine; previously NGC graded MS62, exceptional condition for the type.

Acquired from Sovereign Rarities Ltd.