Pistole of Louis XV
France
1720–1740
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$911.27
Based on Gold spot price ($4,792.115/oz) · 91.7% purity · 6.45g
Updated 10:13 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | France |
| Years Minted | 1720–1740 |
| Composition | 0.917 gold |
| Weight | 6.45 g |
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Shape | Round |
Design
Obverse
Depicts the bust of King Louis XV facing right, with Latin inscriptions including his name and titles.
Reverse
Features a crowned shield with the French royal arms, surrounded by ornate designs and inscriptions indicating the value.
History & Notable Facts
The Pistole of Louis XV was commonly struck using planchets recycled from melted Spanish reales, a nod to France's opportunistic approach to bullion during his early reign.
That practice highlights the coin's role in a turbulent economy, where gold flowed in from colonies and conflicts alike. The obverse typically bore the young king's bust, encircled by his titles, while the reverse featured a crowned shield with fleurs-de-lis. Weights varied slightly by mint, usually around 6.45 grams of gold, though exact figures depended on the year and location—Paris, Bordeaux, or elsewhere.
Mintage records for specific years are spotty; many were likely lost in later upheavals. As for myths, I've debunked enough claims of buried hoards to know they're mostly wishful thinking.
Some variants show die variations that fooled even careful handlers.
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