Écu d'or au soleil
1475–1547 ・ gold ・ 15th century ・ Mints of the kingdom of France
The écu d'or au soleil, the gold écu with the sun. Louis XI created it in 1475, setting a small sun above the crowned shield of three lilies — a mark declaring the brightness of a kingship recovered. On the face, 'king of the Franks by the grace of God'; on the back, a cross of lilies and the legend 'Christ conquers, reigns, commands'. It went on being struck to the reign of Francis I, and remained the basic form of French gold until the louis d'or of 1640 took its place. The ransom of two million écus for the king taken at Pavia was counted in this coin as well.