Quart d'Écu

The Quart d'Écu, a silver fraction from the Louis XIV era, was frequently struck on planchets cut from recycled silver, including melted-down foreign coins like Spanish reales, to meet the demands of a war-torn economy.

This made for coins that were often irregular in weight and purity, reflecting the hasty minting practices of the time. Louis XIV's bust or the sun emblem dominated the obverse, a nod to his self-proclaimed solar majesty, while the reverse typically showed a coat of arms. Mintage figures vary wildly by year; some records burned in the 1838 Paris fire, so precise numbers remain elusive.

Variations exist across the reigns from Louis XIV through Louis XVI, with later issues showing signs of debasement as France's finances crumbled. If you're hunting for one, check for the telltale edge lettering that foiled counterfeiters.

Edge collectors might quip that these coins are the numismatic equivalent of a well-worn shoe—functional, but hardly glamorous.