of fine gold, weighing 3 deniers 4 grs. (i.e. 64 to the mark), and equal 22 sols.
This was the most celebrated gold coin of mediæval France. It lasted down to the time of the louis d'or, and was in high repute all over Europe.
Under Charles VI. and Charles VII. numerous changes were made in this piece both in weight and standard. At one time, under Charles VI., the standard fell as low as 16 carats. In 1436, however, they were again made of fine gold, but 70 to the mark, and issued at an equivalence of 25 sols. In 1455 they were issued 23 1⁄8 carats fine, 71 to the mark, and = 27 sols. the piece.
In 1473 Louis XI. issued them 72 to the mark; but two years later he began the issue of écus d'or au soleil (crowns of the sun), of the same fineness as the couronne, but slightly heavier (70 to the mark).
From the days of Charles VIII. the crown of the sun Page 402 (écus d'or au soleil, also called écus au porc-epi) took the place of older crowns. Under Francis I. they were generally 23 carats fine and 71 1⁄6 to the mark, under Charles IX. 23 carats fine and 72 1⁄2 to the mark. At this latter they remained till the days of Louis XIV. The change of equivalence must be followed in the accompanying tables.
From the old écus à la couronne must be distinguished the écus heaumes, which were issued in small quantities under Charles VI., generally 48 to the mark and 22 carats fine.
Henris d'or occur only under Henry II., 23 carats fine, 2 deniers 20 grs. weight, and issued at an equivalence of 50 sols.
Louis d'or (see text, p. 91), first issued in 1640 under Louis XIII. in imitation of the Spanish standard; 22 carats fine, 36 1⁄4 to the mark, and =