Charles VI, 1421

Duplessy 375; Friedberg 288, PCGS graded AU-55

In 1421, Charles VI introduced the salut d’or (“greeting of gold”), a coin named for the subject of the obverse type. It depicts the Annunciation, when the Archangel Gabriel appeared before the Virgin Mary and told her that she would be the mother of Jesus. Here Gabriel is even shown to speak the Latin word ave (“hail”), and bringing to mind the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55) or Hail Mary familiar to all Catholics. The origin of the type actually goes back to the salut d’or produced by Charles d’Anjou as King of Jerusalem and Naples (1266-1285). The coin of Chalres VI seems to have enjoyed great popularity and was even imitated by the English kings Henry V and Henry VI for their French territories.

Saint-André de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. 11 August 1421. + KAROLVS DEI GRACIA FRAHCORVm REX, the Virgin standing facing, receiving tablet inscribed AVE from the Archangel Gabriel standing right; radiance above, crowned arms of France below. Reverse: XPC VI?CIT XPC REG?AT XPC I?PERAT, Latin cross between to lis, K below; all within polylobe, with inward-facing lis in each point.

Ex MDC Monaco (1 December 2017), 385