1653 France Louis XIV Silver 1/2 Ecu – aVF/VF
Louis XIV 1/2 Ecu struck in the western French town of Angers, dated 1653.
Graded as almost Very Fine, the reverse Very Fine, lightly toned with darker peripheral toning to legend with adjustment marks to reverse, else pleasing example.
Description
Origin:France
Mint: Angers
Denomination:½ Ecu with long wick
Composition:Silver
Date: 1653
Obverse:LVD•XIIII•D•G FR•ET•NAV•REX, Childlike bust of Louis XIV on the right, laurelled, draped and cuirassed in the antique style, with the order of the Holy Spirit ,a long wick descending on the cuirass. Legend starting at 19 hour
Reverse:SIT•NOMEN•DOMINI••BENEDICTVM•1653, Crowned shield of France. F in the exergue
Edge:Plain
Grade:almost Very Fine/Very Fine, lightly toned with darker peripheral toning to legend with adjustment marks to reverse, else pleasing example
Diameter, Weight & Orientation:39mm, 13.7g; 6h
Provenance:Ex. Private Collection, Sydney, Australia
References:Dy royales. 1470; Gad R2.169; Ciani. 1850,
Louis XIV of France: The Sun King and the Absolute Monarch
Birth and Early Promise
Louis XIV was born on 5 September 1638 at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, just outside Paris. His parents, King Louis XIII and Anne of Austria, had waited over 20 years for an heir. Consequently, Louis’s birth was hailed as a divine gift, earning him the title Dieudonné—”God-given.”
Reign of Spectacle and Sovereignty
Ascending the throne in 1643 at the age of four, Louis ruled under a regency led by his mother and Cardinal Mazarin. However, once Mazarin died in 1661, Louis took full control. He famously declared, “L’État, c’est moi”—”I am the state.” Throughout his reign, he centralised royal power, curbed noble influence, and transformed France into the cultural and political epicentre of Europe.
A Palace, A Power Statement
Among his many achievements, Louis XIV constructed the grand Palace of Versailles, a dazzling symbol of absolute monarchy. He also expanded the French army and pursued numerous wars to extend French influence, though with mixed results.
Death and Lasting Legacy
Louis died on 1 September 1715, just days before his 77th birthday. Although his wars drained France’s finances, his reign left a profound mark. He set the standard for absolutist monarchy, fostered the arts, and reshaped French identity. Even now, his legacy echoes through every gilded hall of Versailles.
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