Philippe VI, 1346

Duplessy 257A; Friedberg 272, PCGS graded MS-63

In 1341, Philip VI introduced a new gold florin denomination featuring the somewhat unexpected obverse type depicting St. George charging left on horseback and spearing a dragon. The saint is perhaps invoked on the florins as general protector following the disastrous naval Battle of Sluys (1340) that gave the English control of the Channel and made it impossible for the French to prevent invasion from the sea. Nevertheless, the choice of St. George is remarkable here since he was the well-known patron saint of England.

Montreuil-Bonnin. 2nd emission, 27 April 1346. + PhILIPPVS DEI GRACIA FRANCORVm REX, St. George on horseback left, holding shield, spearing the dragon beneath; all on a field of lis within a polylobe. Reverse: + XPC VIHCIT XPC REGHAT XPC IHPERAT, cross fleuronnée within quadrilobe, arms of France in the spandrels.

Ex Künker (16 March 2016), 4032