Ecu d'or a la chaise, 1st minting 1/1/1337, 22 mm, 4.47gr. Obv: PHILIPPVS:DEI| xGRAx|FRANCORVM:REX, figure seated on a Gothic throne, holding a sword, shield of lis. Rev: XP'C:VINCIT:XP'C:REGNAT:XP"C:IMPERAT, cross in an ornamented quadrilobe. D249, C282.

"Philippe VI (1293-1350) est le fils aîné de Charles de Valois, frère de Philippe IV le Bel et de Marguerite d'Anjou, la fille de Charles II d'Anjou, roi de Naples. Régent après la mort de Charles IV le 1er février, il devient roi le 1er avril 1328 après la naissance d'une fille. Édouard III prête l'hommage à Philippe VI pour la Guyenne en 1329 mais la guerre de Cent Ans commence en 1337 avec la saisie de cette province. La flotte française est coulée à l'Écluse en juin 1340. À partir de 1341 commence la guerre de Succession de Bretagne (1341-1365) où les Bretons s'opposent par Français et Anglais interposés. Édouard III débarque en Normandie le 11 juillet 1346 et écrase la chevalerie française grâce à ses archers à Crécy le 26 août 1346. Il assiège ensuite Calais qui résiste onze mois et capitule le 4 août 1347, (affaire des Bourgeois de Calais). La grande peste ravage l'Europe et tue la moitié de la population entre 1348 et 1350, dont la reine Jeanne la Boiteuse. Philippe rachète le Dauphiné en 1349 à Humbert II. Il se remarie avec Blanche de Bourgogne et meurt l'année suivante." Source: CGB Monnaies VIII, #1196, Juin 2000.

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AR Gros a la Couronne (1338), 24mm, 2.5gr. Obv inner legend:  PHILIPPVS REX, obv. outer legend, +BNDICTV etc., central cross. Rev: FRANCORVM, chatel avec etoile sous le chatel, 2nd emission. 1338. D262A, C298. Contemporary English coin: Edward III.

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Bill. double tournois, 22mm, 1.24gr. Obv: +PHILIPPVS.D:G.REX, central two vertical lis, bracketed by F R (top) and A N (bottom). Rev: + MONETA DUPLEX, central cross with lis on three arms. First emission January 1, 1337. Dup 271; C 319v.

Philip, like most of the French kings, is buried in St. Denis outside of Paris. This image of Philip is the effigy from his tomb and should be viewed horizontally, but is presented vertically since it is easier to see his features this way.

Jean 11 The Good (1350-64)

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AR Blanc au chatel fleur de lis, 1st emission, 1/16/1356, 27mm, 3.82gr. Obv: IOHANNES REX, central short cross. Rev; TVRONVS CIVIS, chatel. Mint is Tours.  D310, C408. Contemporary English coin: Edward III.

"Jean II (1319-1364) est le fils de Philippe VI de Valois et de Jeanne de Bourgogne, dite la boiteuse. Il succède à son père en 1350. Son règne est le plus catastrophique du XIVe siècle. La guerre reprend avec les Anglais en 1355. Le Prince Noir, fils d'Édouard III, ravage tout l'Ouest de la France. Jean II réunit les États Généraux pour obtenir des subsides. Il est battu à la bataille de Poitiers en 1356, fait prisonnier et emmené captif en Angleterre. Charles, le dauphin, fils de Jean II, devient lieutenant général du royaume. Il doit faire face à Charles le Mauvais, roi de Navarre et descendant de Philippe IV, allié à Étienne Marcel, prévôt des marchands, qui obligent le dauphin à composer. Les États Généraux sont convoqués et essaient d'imposer au régent une profonde réforme des institutions ainsi que le respect de la monnaie : c'est la grande ordonnance de 1357. En 1358, il doit faire face à la révolte de Paris et à la Jacquerie en province. Étienne Marcel est assassiné et Charles reprend le pouvoir. Jean II le Bon est prisonnier en Angleterre depuis 1356 (apre' Poitiers) et les traités de Londres de 1358 et 1359 préparent la libération du roi Jean qui signe le traité de Brétigny le 8 mai 1360. Il perd un tiers de son royaume et doit payer 3 millions d'écus d'or de rançon. Libéré en juillet 1360, il demande une aide spéciale (impôt) pour rétablir la bonne monnaie et créer le franc à cheval le 5 décembre 1360. Le duc de Bourgogne, Philippe de Rouvres, étant mort sans héritier, le roi rattache la province au royaume et l'apanage en 1363 à son fils, Philippe le Hardi, qui avait soutenu son père à Poitiers en 1356. Le duc d'Anjou, otage, s'étant échappé de Londres, Jean, en chevalier, y retourne se constituer prisonnier. Il y meurt le 8 avril 1364." Source: CGB Monnaies VIII,  Juin 2000.

Blanc au K, 25mm, 2.5gr. Obv: DEI:GRACIA in the inner circle, center is K surmounted by crown, with lis on both sides of the K. Rev: (lis)FRANCORV:REX in the inner circle. The center has a cross surmounted by a crown. The outer circle is +BENEDCTV:SIT,etc.  D363, C47. Contemporary English coins: Edward III and Richard II.

Before coming to the crown, Charles served as Regent of France during his father's captivity in England, as a result of the disastrous (from the French point of view) Battle of Poitiers. He married Jeanne of Bourbon, and their son becomes Charles VI. As king he benefited from strategic family alliances with Castile and Flanders, blunting potential English allies in the 100 years war. During his reign, France succeeded in capturing much of the territory previously lost to the English. In Paris, he faced rebellion, which was put down in 1358.

This continued to be a fragile time for French kings, as they remain involved in sustained conflict with England over succession to the French throne. Charles V's reign was one of relative success for France, between two less successful periods of time. The French kings had to deal with growing frustration from the non-nobles, who are heavily taxed to support the war.

Charles is entombed at St. Denis. Here is the effigy from his tomb, presented vertically for viewing ease.

Charles V1 The Fool (1380-1422)

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Ecu d'or, 28mm 3.81gr. Obv: +KAROLVS:DEI:gRACIA:FRANCORVM:REX, central shield (ecu) of France with three lis. topped by a crown. Rev: +APC*VINCIT*XPC*REGNAT*XPC*IMPERAT, central stylized cross (croix arquee) enclosed, with four crowns. 1st emission (11 March 1385). Mint unclear to me. Rouen? Punctuation by * on the reverse. Another possiblity is St. Quentin - * at the base of the cross. Dup 369v, C 484-5. Contemporary English coins:Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V.

Charles came to the throne in 1380, but experienced mental illness in 1392 which plagued him throughout his life. This set the stage for conflict among his uncles and other French nobility, which weakened the position of the king in the war with England. A Burgundian alliance with England led to the fall of Paris in 1418, and subsequent occupation by the English.

The battle of Agincourt ( 1415) was a success for English bowmen over French knights. This led to the Treaty of Troyes in 1420, which identified Henri V of England as successor to the French throne on Charles' death. This period is the French nadir in the 100 years war, with the crown withdrawn from Pairs and settled in the south at Bourges. Henri V married Charles' daughter Catherine. Their son was Henri VI of England.

AR florette, 26mm 2.44gr. Obv: +KAROLVS:FRANCORVM:REX, trois lis poses 2 et 1 sous une couronne. Rev: +SIT:NOMEN:DNI:BENEDICTV, cross fleurdelise aux deux couronnes. All ':' are actually three dots. Mint is Paris. Mint mark is 'o' under the obverse '+.' Second emission (20 Octobre 1417). Dup 387a, C 524 (which says billon).

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Blanc dit guernar, 1389 or 1411, 26mm, 2.96gr. Obv: +KAROLVS FRANCORV REX, shield with three lis. Rev: SIT NOMEN DNI BENEDICTV, cross with two crowns and two lis. Mint is Tours - pt under 6th letter. D377A or D377C, C507 or 509.

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Blanc guenar, 1385+, 25mm, 2.58gr. Obv: +KAROLVS:FRANCORV:REX, shield with three lis. Obv: +SIT:NOMEN:DNI:BENEDIC, cross with two lis and two crosses.  D377 (and varieties), C506. Contemporary English coins: Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V.

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AR Blanc guenar, 26mm, 2.97gr. Obv: +KAROLVS:FRANCORV:REX, central ecu de France. Rev: +SIT NOME:DNI:BENEDICTV, central cross with two lis and two crowns. Mint is St. Quentin (point 17). First emission 9/11/1389. Dup 377A; C 507

Charles is buried with his queen, Isabel of Bavaria, in St. Denis, outside of Paris. This is the effigy from their tomb.

Henri V of England,  claiming to be king of France, had coinage
Henri V1 of England, claiming to be king of France, had coinage

Billon Blanc aux Couronne, 27mm, 2.45gr. Description from (and identification based on) the CGB web catalogue, France IV, Fall 1999, # 58. "Blanc à la couronne, 26/06/1456, 4e ém,  (pd. th. 3,022 g,  taille 1/81 marc, ). A/ + KARO[LVS*] FRANCORVm* REX*,  Écu de France entre trois couronnelles, dans un double trilobe.  R/ + SIT* nOmE[N]* DnI* BEnEDICTVm,  Croix cantonnée aux 1 et 4 d'une couronnelle, aux 2 et 3 d'un lis, dans un double quadrilobe." Mint is St. Lo., 19th point.  C.688 - Mar.1651 - L.514c - Dy.519C - Dieudonné 1606-1607. Contemporary English coin: Henry VI.

The disinherited son of Charles VI came to the thrown, what was left of it in 1422. His father and Henri V were both dead, leaving a child Henri VI also claiming the crown as a result of the Treaty of Troyes. Charles' actions caused Burgundy to become allied with England and the picture was very bleak, until Joan of Arc entered the scene and lead French troops to victory at Patay and Orleans. This turned the tide for the French and from then on, the English were driven back. Charles regained Paris in 1436, and was called Victorious.

Joan of Arc played a key role in the wars of succession, and is credited with "giving Charles his throne." She was ultimately captured by the Burgundians, who turned her over to the English. Charles refused to ransom her, the tradition of the times, and allowed her to be burnt at the stake by the English, under the guise of heresy, but as revenge for their defeat at Orleans. Charles preferred her as a dead martyr and inspiration to the French rather than as a living challenge to his authority.

Billon blanc aux couronne, 27mm, 2.81gr. Description from (and identification based on) CGB France IV web catalogue Fall 1999. # 61. "Blanc à la couronne, 26/06/1456, 4e ém,  (pd. th. 3,022 g, , taille 1/81 marc). A/ + KAROLVS* FRAnCORVm* REX (trèfle).  Écu de France entre trois couronnelles, dans un double trilobe.  R/ + SIT* nOmEN* DnI* BEnEDICTV (trèfle). Croix cantonnée aux 1 et 4 d'une couronnelle, aux 2 et 3 d'un lis, dans un double quadrilobe." Mint: Lyon. Trefle at the end of the legends. C.688 - Mar.1661 - L.514c - Dy.519C.

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AR blanc au briquet, 26mm, 2.88gr. Obv: *KAROLVS*FRANCORVM*REX, center shield of France between 3 crowns and a trilobe. The mint mark is a dot at point 18, under the E of REX. Rev: *SIT*NOMEN*DNI*BENEDICTV, center cross with two lis and two crowns. Mint is Paris, second period (1436-61) Dup 522; C 694; Laufraie 514.

Ecu d'or, 28mm, 3.22gr., 1st emission 31/12/1461. Obv: LVDOVICVS:DEI:GRA:FRANCOR:REX, ecu de France crowned, bounded by deux lis crowned. Rev: XPS:VINCIT:XPS:REGNAT:XPS:IMPGRAT, "croix feuillue avec quadrilobes en coeur, accoste de quarte cournelles, dans un quadrilobe."   Dup 539v (with XPC); C 741v which has the reverse ending "XPS IMPERT." Coin shows great clarity of the ... in the crown, which suggests it is as struck, with some weakness in the legend. Contemporary English coin: Edward IV.

The son of Charles VII had a contentious relationship with his father, leading also to strained relationships with his father's advisors on his ascension to the throne. On the death of his first wife, he married Catherine of Savoy, to his father's displeasure. As king, he benefited from the death of Charles the Bold of Burgundy, and spent the balance of his reign extending royal control over Burgundian territory, largely giving France its modern shape. While he was able to control much of Burgundy, it was not always smooth. The first image is from a contemporary manuscript showing Louis being presented to the Burgundians. The second is the siege of Doles in 1479 and the massacre of its inhabitants. The images are from Cinq Centieme de la Anniversaire de la Bataille de Nancy.

**

For a fuller look at his problems, visit the Siege of  Paris 1465 page.

While England had withdrawn from the last of its French territories by the start of his reign, England continued to threaten intervention. Louis intervened in the English War of the Roses, first supporting the Lancastrians and then the Yorkists, to forestall English intervention. (It is interesting to note that English coinage through Anne in the early 18th C claimed French sovereignty.)

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Blanc aux Couronnelles, 27mm, 2.86gr. Obv: +LVDOVICVS*FRANCORVM*REX, shield with three lis, surmounted by crown, crowns bracket shield. Rev: +SIT*NOMEN*DNI*BENECTICVM, cross with two crowns and two lis in quadrants. Mint is Rouen - 15 pt under 'O.' C755 (cross above crown on shield side differentiates it from Louis X11), D550.

Karolus ou dizain, 1488, 25mm, 2.31gr. Obv: + KAROLVS FRANCORVM REX, large initial under a crown. Obv: +SIT:NOMEN:DNI:BENEDICTVM, cross with arms topped by crowns, lis in each quadrant. Mint is St. Lo - pt. 15.  C814, D593.

Charles came to the throne as a young person (13 years old) and benefited from the regency of his older sister, who withdrew from the scene as he achieved his majority. Charles was interested in acquiring Brittany, and married Anne of Brittany. None of their children lived long enough to succeed him. Charles was a pious king, but an unsuccessful candidate for canonization, the papacy being less reliant on the French by this time.

Charles had territorial ambitions in Italy and led a French army to Naples. He was subsequently forced to withdraw. For some time hereafter France maintained an interest in Italian politics, and intervened repeatedly in the peninsula.

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Karolus ou dizain, 1488, 24mm, 2.2gr. Obv: + KAROLVS:FRANCORVM:EX, large initial under a crown. Obv: +SIT:NOMEN:DNI:BENEDICTVM, cross with arms topped by crowns, lis in each quadrant.  C814, D593. Contemporary English coins: Richard III and Henry VII.

Blanc a la couronne, 25mm, 2.38gr. Obv: +KAROLVS*FRANCORVM*REX, ecu de france entre trois couronnes. Rev: +SIT*NOMEN*DNI*BENEDICTV, croix cantonee avec deux couronnelles et deux lis, dans un quadrilobe. Punctuation at pt. 18. Mint is Paris. Dup 587, C 805.