ObverseImage: Wikimedia Commons · National Museum of American History · Public domain
Louis XIII Écu d'Or
France
1610–1643
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$953.40
Based on Gold spot price ($4,790.835/oz) · 91.7% purity · 6.75g
Updated 10:08 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | France |
| Years Minted | 1610–1643 |
| Composition | 91.7% gold |
| Weight | 6.75 g |
| Diameter | 23.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
Design
Obverse
Bust of King Louis XIII facing right.
Reverse
Royal coat of arms of France.
History & Notable Facts
The Louis XIII Écu d'Or was struck using gold that often came from melted-down foreign coins, a pragmatic move during France's endless wars.
This gold coin, minted between 1610 and 1643, typically weighed around 6.8 grams and bore the king's bust on one side, with the royal arms on the other. Designs varied by year, reflecting the influence of engravers like Briot, who brought a touch of precision to an otherwise chaotic minting process. Some variants show telltale signs of clipping, as people tried to skim a bit of that precious metal.
We don't know the exact mintage for most years; palace records were spotty, and what survived got lost in later upheavals. If you're hunting one, expect variations in quality—war shortages meant not every piece was a masterpiece.
Oh, and don't believe the tales of cursed coins; that's just collectors spinning yarns.
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