10 Francs Louis XV

Gold coins from Louis XV's reign, often mislabeled as "10 Francs" by modern enthusiasts, were actually denominated in livres, not francs—the franc didn't exist until 1795. What we might recognize as a precursor was the Louis d'or, a 24-livre piece struck in high-purity gold that circulated widely across Europe. These coins featured the king's portrait, which evolved from a youthful profile in the 1720s to a more mature one by the 1770s, reflecting his long rule and the era's advancing engraving techniques. Mintage details remain murky; many records burned in later fires or were never kept. I've examined dozens over the years—sturdy, if unremarkable, with edges that show the wear of real use, not treasure chests. As for myths about their rarity, let's just say not every Louis d'or funded a war; some just bought bread.