Monnaie de Paris

10 euro

22,2 g

37 mm

Silver 900°

10 000 pcs.

Historical proof

Christian Lacroix (Monnaie de Paris)

Monnaie de Paris

LOUIS XI (1423-1483), known as Louis the Prudent, strengthened the royal authority during his reign from 1461 to 1483. He was responsible for several new additions to the French territory, particularly through the Treaty of Arras. He is also known for founding the French postal system. The obverse of the coin displays the profile of Louis XI, wearing his well-known hat decorated with religious medals. The design of these medals is a reference to the series because they repeat the images of the kings from the previous years. The reverse of the coin represents one of the infamous cages used in the reign of Louis XI. They were known as «fillettes» («little girls») because of their small height which prevented the prisoner inside from standing up. On the right of the coin are the dates of the king’s reign: 1461-1483.

A collection paying tribute to 1 500 years of French History, by depicting its most influent Kings and Presidents from the Middle Ages to the 1980s. Over 5 years, 3 coins each year are designed by Christian Lacroix, and struck in a «free strike» fashion, giving the coin a «historical» look.