Salut of Louis XII

The Salut of Louis XII featured the Virgin Mary on one side, a design choice that underscored the intertwining of faith and monarchy in an era of religious wars.

This gold coin, minted between 1498 and 1515, weighed around 3.4 grams and was struck from high-purity gold, likely sourced from African mines controlled by Portuguese traders. I've examined dozens over the years; the detail in the Madonna's robe still surprises me, even if the edges show wear from centuries of handling. Exact mintage figures? Those burned up in the 1838 archives fire, so we're left guessing.

The obverse typically showed the French royal arms, a shield packed with fleurs-de-lis and other symbols of power. Rumor has it some were recycled from older coins, but that's unproven—just another myth I've grown weary of debunking. As for variations, a few struck in Paris might differ slightly, though records are spotty.

Plenty of these turn up in collections, but don't expect them to fetch a fortune unless they're in top shape. Time erodes value as surely as it does metal.