Philippe VI de Valois (1328-1350). Gold Lion d'or, undated. King on Gothic throne, holding sceptre and fleur de lis, a lion at feet. Rev. Floriated cross in quadrilobe, crown in angles (Fr 265; Ciani 290). In NGC holder graded MS 63, a splended example of this very rare type. Value $15,000 - UP
Philippe VI, a cousin of the childless Charles VI, succeeded as King of France in 1328 although Charles' closest male relative was his nephew, Edward III of England. Initially the relationship between the two kings was amicable enough, but disputes over Aquitaine finally led the English king to press his claims to the throne of France in 1337. This action precipitated the long and bloody conflict between England and France known as the Hundred Years' War (1337-1454). Faced with a major and expensive conflict, Philippe VI marshalled his finances and issued a wide variety of gold denominations, many of which are represented in this sale. The lion d'or was a gold denomination of 24 carats and 4.895 g introduced by Philippe VI in 1338. The obverse type features an image of the king seated on a Gothic throne-a common type for Philippe IV's gold coins in general. His feet rests on the back of a recumbent lion, the detail which provides the name of the denomination. As the lion has long been an emblem of royalty, it may perhaps appear here to advertise Philippe VI as the legitimate heir to the throne against the claims of Edward III. On the other hand, it may symbolize a hoped-for victory over the English king, since the lion was also the heraldic badge of Edward III and the royal house of Plantagenet.
Ex Terner Collection by Private Treaty.