 France. Louis XIV. Felicitas Domus Augustae, 1693. Obverse signed I.DOLLIN.F. Betts 75 (types and layout of the largest size). Silver. 35.2mm. 245.8 gns. Rims 1.8 - 2.0mm thick. Bust right of Louis XIV; bust left of the dauphin above accollated busts of his three children. Looped at the top for wearing, probably remounted but the older type, round with point at apex. Edge plain, filed at top. Extremely Fine. Pale silver gray with light gold around the rims. Very rare in this size. Obverse die breaking from rim inwards at left.
That this type was presented to Native Americans friendly to the French is shown in the American Journal of Numismatics (April, 1877), in which Charles Anthon published a contemporary account of the type as follows: ''Extract of a letter of Mother Mary of Saint Helena, hospital-nun of the Hotel-Dieu in Quebec, dated October 17, 1723...'King Louis XIV had sent silver medals of considerable size, on one side of which was his portrait, and on the other that of the dauphin, his son, and of the three princes, children of the latter, to be given to those who should distinguish themselves in war. To them has long since been attached a flame-coloured ribbon, four fingers in breadth, and the whole decoration is highly prized among them...when any chief dies, he is honorably buried, a detachment of troops, parades, several volleys of musketry are fired over his grave, and on his coffin are laid a sword crossed with its scabbard and the medal under consideration fastened upon them.' ''
Ex Jacques Schulman on May 24, 1967.
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