Coin France 1/3 French ecu Louis XV - 1720 In Paris - Silver

This coin is a third of an écu from France, struck in silver in 1720 at the Paris mint, identified by the mint mark "A". It is part of the French monetary system of the time, where the écu was a unit of account and a common circulating coin.

The coin is associated with the reign of Louis XV, whose name and title appear on the obverse. The weight of this coin is 8.16 grams and its diameter is 26.5 millimeters.

The obverse of the coin features the bust of King Louis XV, facing right. The circular legend mentions the king's name and title: "LUD. XV. D. G. FR. ET. NAV. REX.", meaning "Louis XV, by the grace of God, King of France and Navarre". The royal bust is detailed, with particular attention paid to the representation of the wig and the vestimentary ornaments.

The reverse of the coin features the coat of arms of France, composed of three fleur-de-lis, symbol of French royalty. The circular legend indicates the motto and the year of minting: "SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTUM 1720", meaning "Blessed be the name of the Lord 1720". The coat of arms is surmounted by a crown, indicating the royal status. The letter "A" located under the coat of arms identifies the Paris mint.

The silver content of this coin, although not explicitly mentioned here, was an important characteristic for determining its intrinsic value and quality. The third écu were subdivisions of the écu, facilitating transactions of lesser value. The coin testifies to the monetary practices and royal iconography in France at the beginning of the 18th century.