{"id":65186,"date":"2025-05-16T15:23:22","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T13:23:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thomasnumismatics.com\/?post_type=actualites&p=65186"},"modified":"2025-05-16T15:23:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T13:23:24","slug":"the-ecu-dor","status":"publish","type":"actualites","link":"https:\/\/thomasnumismatics.com\/en\/blog\/the-ecu-dor\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ecu d’Or"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The gold \u00e9cu is one of the most iconic coins in French monetary history. First minted in 1266 during the reign of Louis IX, this coin symbolized the unification of the kingdom and became the benchmark for the French monarchy for several centuries. Here’s a detailed overview of the history, value, and evolution of the gold \u00e9cu throughout the reigns of the kings of France.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Origin of the Gold Shield under Louis IX<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 1262, Louis IX (1214-1270) known as \u201cSaint-Louis\u201d carried out a monetary reform which unified the different monetary systems of the kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The livre tournois gradually became the reference currency, and the gold \u00e9cu was introduced for the first time in 1266 with a weight of around 4g.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shield of Louis IX is adorned on the obverse with a shield strewn with six fleurs-de-lis and on its reverse, a fleur-de-lis cross accompanied by the Christian legend “XPC VINCIT, XPC REGNAT, XPC IMPERAT” (“Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands”). This coin marks a turning point in the history of French numismatics and quickly became a symbol of royalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Evolution of the Gold Shield under Successive Kings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Its name comes from the word “\u00e9cu” from the Latin scutum “shield”, represented on coins with the arms of the Kingdom of France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The different types of gold \u00e9cu take their names from motifs that adorn the coins, such as dolphins<\/strong> for the gold \u00e9cu of Dauphin\u00e9<\/strong> or salamanders<\/strong> for the gold \u00e9cu with salamanders<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"gold<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Some examples of gold coins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Louis IX (1263 \u00e0 1270) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philippe VI de Valois (1328 \u00e0 1350) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l’\u00e9cu d’or \u00e0 la Chaise<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charles VI (1380 \u00e0 1422) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l’\u00e9cu d’or \u00e0 la Couronne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charles VII (1422 \u00e0 1461) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l’\u00e9cu d’or \u00e0 la Couronne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Briquet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Louis XI (1461 \u00e0 1483) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l’\u00e9cu d’or au Soleil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l’\u00e9cu d’or au Soleil du Dauphin\u00e9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or \u00e0 la Couronne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charles VIII (1483 \u00e0 1498) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l’\u00e9cu d’or au Soleil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil du Dauphin\u00e9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l’\u00e9cu d’or au Soleil de Bretagne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Louis XII (1498 \u00e0 1515) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l’\u00e9cu d’or au Soleil de Provence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil du Dauphin\u00e9 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Porcs-\u00e9pics<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or aux Porc-\u00e9pics de Bretagne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fran\u00e7ois Ier (1515 \u00e0 1547) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l’\u00e9cu d’or au Soleil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil du Dauphin\u00e9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l’\u00e9cu d’or au Soleil de Bretagne<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil de Provence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or aux Salamandres<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil \u00e0 la petite Croix<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil du Dauphin\u00e9 et \u00e0 la petite Croix<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or \u00e0 la Croisette<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or du Dauphin\u00e9 \u00e0 la Croisette<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Henri II (1547 \u00e0 1548) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or \u00e0 la Croisette<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or \u00e0 la Croisette de Provence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or \u00e0 L\u2019effigie<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or aux Croissants<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charles IX (1560 \u00e0 1574) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l’\u00e9cu d’or au Soleil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil du Dauphin\u00e9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Henri III (de 1574 \u00e0 1589) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l’\u00e9cu d’or au Soleil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charles X (1590 \u00e0 1594) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Henri IV (1590 \u00e0 1610) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charles X (1591 \u00e0 1595) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Louis XIII (1610 \u00e0 1646) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil du Dauphin\u00e9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Louis XIV (1643 \u00e0 1657) :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

l\u2019\u00e9cu d\u2019or au Soleil<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Evolution Towards the Louis d’Or and the End of the \u00c9cu<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Under Louis XIII (1610-1643), a monetary reform led to the creation of the louis d’or, which replaced the gold \u00e9cu in current exchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These new coins are distinguished by the appearance of the King’s portrait on the obverse to replace the shield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A vestige of the golden shield is found on the famous Louis d’or with the shield, which regains its shield and its fleurs-de-lis.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Value and Importance of the Gold Shield<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The gold ecu represented not only an important means of payment but also a political and symbolic tool. Its stability and value made it a prestigious currency used in the most important transactions, both nationally and internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weight and value of the gold ecu would evolve over the reigns, reflecting economic fluctuations, monetary reforms and the increasing scarcity of gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gold shields minted under the kings of France have survived through the ages, bearing with them the emblems of royal power, and are today sought after by collectors for their beauty and rarity. The shield is thus a piece of history, of numismatics, part of the treasures of French culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Legacy of the Golden Shield<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The gold \u00e9cu has played a fundamental role in the economic history of France. Its introduction under Louis IX marked a key moment in the history of currency, and its evolution over the centuries testifies to the prosperity and grandeur of the kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the gold shield is a coin prized by numismatists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether collected by reign, mint or type, this coin remains and will remain a tangible testimony to France’s royal past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Our Ecu d’or<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The gold \u00e9cu is one of the most iconic coins in French monetary history. First minted in 1266 during the reign of Louis IX, this coin symbolized the unification of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":65179,"template":"","categorie-actualites":[],"lieux-actulites":[],"sujet-actulites":[],"class_list":["post-65186","actualites","type-actualites","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"The Ecu d'Or - Thomas Numismatics<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The gold \u00e9cu, one of the most emblematic coins in the monetary history of France, first minted during the reign of Louis IX.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thomasnumismatics.com\/en\/blog\/the-ecu-dor\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Ecu d'Or - Thomas Numismatics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The gold \u00e9cu, one of the most emblematic coins in the monetary history of France, first minted during the reign of Louis IX.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/thomasnumismatics.com\/en\/blog\/the-ecu-dor\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Thomas Numismatics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ThomasNumismatics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-16T13:23:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/thomasnumismatics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/euc-or-1024x1024.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thomasnumismatics.com\/en\/blog\/the-ecu-dor\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/thomasnumismatics.com\/en\/blog\/the-ecu-dor\/\",\"name\":\"The Ecu d'Or - 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