Very rare and highly attractive gold salut d’or, struck at the Paris mint during the reign of Henry VI, King of England and France.
Issue from 1423-1449.
This specimen belongs to the scarce type with eight arches on the reverse, five rays on the obverse, and the crown beginning the reverse legend.
These coins were issued during the Hundred Years’ War, at a time when England asserted its rights to the French crown. The salut d’or, with its religious and political symbolism, embodied both divine sanction of Henry’s rule and a tangible affirmation of English power in France.
Beautiful example with mint bloom and great eye appeal.
Obverse: on the right, the Archangel Gabriel, with outstretched wings, facing the Virgin Mary, handing her a parchment with the inscription "AVE", below the figures are the coats of arms of France and England, with five rays above them
HENRICVS DEI GRA FRACORV Ƶ AGLIE REX
Reverse: Latin cross, with a lily and a leopard on its sides, under which is the letter h, the whole enclosed in eight semi-arches, with a fleur-de-lis in each corner
XPC ★ VINCIT ★ XPC ★ REGNAT ★ XPC ★ IMPERAT
Gold, diameter 27 mm, weight 3.49 g
