Ecu au soleil

The Ecu au soleil's sun motif wasn't just decorative; it directly echoed the heraldic symbols of the French crown, asserting royal power in a way that coins hadn't before.

This gold coin, minted between 1475 and 1515, typically weighed around 3.4 grams and featured a shield of France on the obverse, with the sun in splendor on the reverse. Variations occurred due to different rulers—Louis XI started it, and Francis I saw it out—but exact designs shifted with each reign. Some planchets came from remelted foreign gold, a practical reuse in an era of scarce bullion.

We don't know the precise mintage for most years; medieval records burned in later fires or simply vanished. That said, surviving examples show wear from circulation, hinting at widespread use in trade.

Production happened at major French mints like Paris and Tours, though quality control was spotty—strikings could be off-center or weakly impressed.

Collectors chase the early issues for their rarity, but good luck finding one without a hefty price tag. It's like expecting the sun to shine every day; it doesn't.