Philippe IV, 1303

Duplessy 209; Friedberg 253, PCGS graded MS-61

Philip IV was considered to be a handsome man in his time, hence his nickname, le Bel (“the Handsome”). However, due to his inflexible and unforgiving personality he was also known as le Roi de fer (“the Iron King”) and at least once found himself negatively compared to a statue. This beautiful gold piece was popularly known as the chaise d’or (“chair of gold”), referring to the full-figure depiction of the king seated on a throne (“the chair”). This type was introduced by Philip IV in 1303 and is ultimately derived from his royal seal.

22 August 1303. + PhILIPPVS DEI GRA FRA?ChORVM REX, king seated facing on Gothic throne, holding lis-tipped scepter and lis; all within polylobe. Reverse: + XPC VINCIT XPC REGNAT XPC ImPERAT, cross fleurée with lis in quarters; all within quadrilobe with arches ending in trefoils, crowns in spandrels.

Ex Heritage (8 January 2018), 32181