Philippe IV, 1305

Duplessy 211; Friedberg 257, PCGS graded AU-58

The mantelet d’or was a gold coin introduced by Philip IV in 1305, the year in which he won victory over Flemish rebels at the Battle of Mons-en-Pévèle. It received its nickname from the fact that the king is depicted standing on the obverse wearing his royal mantle. Due to the high level of preservation it is till possible to clearly make out the distinctive ermine fur lining of Philip IV’s mantle. The reverse type features a cross with the arms terminating in fleurs-de-lis, the symbol of the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of France. This cross form became a standard type for later French royal coinages.

April 1305. Ph’ DEI GRA FRACOR REX, king standing facing, holding scepter, between two lis. Reverse: + XPC VICIT XPC RNAT XPC IPERAT, cross fleurdelisée within quatrelobe.

Ex NGSA (2 December 2008), 507