The silver Ecu of Louis XV ranks among the most elegant French royal coinage of the 18th century, and this 1723 example from the Paris Mint captures the young king at the very start of his personal reign. Louis XV came to the throne as a child in 1715 and formally assumed power in 1723, making coins of this year particularly significant. The Ecu type, catalogued as Davenport-1328, circulated widely across France and its territories during one of the most active periods of French economic expansion.

The obverse carries a bold right-facing portrait of Louis XV with flowing wig and royal drapery, encircled by the legend LUDOVICUS XV D G FR ET NAV REX. The portrait shows well-defined hair and facial features with good relief. The reverse displays the crowned arms of France bearing three fleurs-de-lis on a shield, with the legend SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTUM and the date 1723, with the Paris Mint mark A at the bottom.

NGC grades this coin AU-55, reflecting light wear on the high points with considerable original luster remaining in the fields and devices. This particular issue is surprisingly rare with only ten examples certified in all grades combined! The surfaces show an even silver-gray patina with minor marks consistent with circulation. The Ecu of Louis XV is a perennially popular type among collectors of French royal coinage and European world coins. For those seeking a pleasing, certified example of this classic 18th-century French silver type, this coin delivers. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.

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