THE COIN COLLECTOR - World eBook Library

THE COLLECTOR SERIES
were taken back bv the Crown at an earlier period than
in the two divisions of Europe just mentioned, leaving
only the regal currency for our consideration. It has
been explained at some length elsewhere that the
volume of old French money in our hands owes its
magnitude in part to the almost innumerable varieties
of type and issue due to political exigencies, from the
long dedication of a separate coinage to certain pro-
vinces of the kingdom, as well as to a host of baronial
or seigniorial tenants, and also to the personal caprice
of the sovereign or his moneyers ; and this statement
is particularly true of the protracted reigns of Charles
VI. and Louis XI. (1380-1461).
It is readily observable that in this highly interesting
series we pass through successive stages : the Mero-
vingian era, when the prevailing metal was gold ; the
Carolingian, when the currency was almost exclusively
silver ; the Capetian, when we meet with little beyond
billon of careless execution and a sparing supply
of gold, commencing with the latter portion of the
reign of Louis IX. ; the Valesian (1328 - 1589), in
which the gold becomes more plentiful, the silver is
somewhat improved, and copper of good workman-
ship is introduced ; and the Bourbon one, which, in
point of fabric, character, and execution, easily excels
all that preceded. Yet, looking at the wealth, great-
ness, and power of France, and her opportunities of
employing the best engravers and the most efficient
machinery, we desist from a survey of her whole numis-
matic life with a feeling of surprise and disappoint-
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