Jean II Le Bon (1350-1364). Gold Royal d'or, undated. King with sceptre, standing under Gothic dais. Rev. Floriated cross, fleur de lis in angles (Fr 278; Ciani 358). In NGC holder graded AU 55. Value $2,500 - UP
In August 1358 and April 1359 two emissions of royals d'or ("gold royals") were struck in the name of Jean II although at the time he was being held hostage in Calais by Edward III of England. The royal d'or was originally introduced by Charles IV in 1326 as a gold denomination of 24 carats and 4.219 g. It ceased production in 1326, but was revived in 1358 for the captive Jean II following the recapture of Paris by his son, the future Charles V. However, the two emissions of royals d'or of Jean II were struck to a decreasing weight standard dictated by the financial crisis of the king's defeat and capture. The emission of 1358 weighed 3.708 g while the emission of 1359, to which the present coins both belong, weighed only 2.547 g. The denomination takes its name from the standing royal figure (i.e., the king) who appears on the obverse under a Gothic dais.