Ancient Middle Ages France - Gold Franc - Circa 1364 - 1380 - Mounted in 18K gold
$5,684
Denomination: Franc, Gold.
Reign: Charles V le Sage (the Wise) 1364-1380
Date: Circa 1364 – 1380
Mint: Uncertain mint
Weight: 3.80 grams
Mount: 18K gold
Description: FRANCE, Royal. Franc à pied (Gold, 27 mm, 6 h), uncertain mint. Obverse: ✠ KAROLVS DI GR FRANCORV REX Charles V standing facing within Gothic arch flanked by field of lis, holding sword and scepter surmounted by Hand of Justice. Reverse: ✠ XPC VINCIT XPC REGNAT XPC IMPERAT Voided short cross potent over cross fleurée; at center, pellet within polylobe; lis and crown alternating in angles; all within polylobe, with lis in each spandrel. Grade: Very fine.
History: The reign of Charles V was a brief moment of recovery for the kingdom of France. Born in Vincennes in 1337, son of John II and Bonne of Luxembourg, Duke of Normandy, and regent during the captivity of his father. When Charles V ascended the throne in 1364, he already had long experience in government. He had to wage war on several fronts. In Britain, the Treaty of Guerande (1365) recognized the victory of the party de Montfort. In Burgundy, the extinction of the old Capetian dynasty, the duchy passed to the brother of Charles, Philip the Bold. Finally, Cocherel in March 1364, Du Guesclin defeated the troops of Charles of Navarre. The same month, Charles V was crowned in Reims. Charles V reorganized the army and the administration of finances. In doing so he establishes forages and a permanent tax to aid the war effort. The royal army became permanent under captains appointed by the king, and it was supplemented by Artillery and a Navy. Charles V was great builder. He built the Hotel Saint-Pol, rebuilt the Louvre and the Château de Vincennes. He was also considered a Prince scholar by helping developed a great library and encouraged other scholars. In 1373, Charles V had secured the royal majority at the age of thirteen.
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