Louis d'Argent

The most intriguing fact about what might be called the Louis d'Argent is that it was often produced from silver sourced from Spanish colonies in the Americas, reflecting the global trade networks of the 17th century. These coins, if that's what they were, formed part of France's royal currency under Louis XIII and XIV, typically featuring the king's profile on one side and a coat of arms on the other. Mintage figures are murky; records from that era are incomplete, and much was likely destroyed in later conflicts. What we do know is that variations existed across different mints, like Paris or Lyon, though exact designs could vary year to year. It's possible this term is a modern misnomer for coins like the écu d'argent. Debates among numismatists persist. As for counterfeits, they were common enough to frustrate officials.

Silver has a way of disappearing into hoards.