LOUIS XII King of France April 7, 1498 - January 1, 1515 Duke of Milan September 6, 1499 - February 5, 1500 / April 10, 1500 - June 16, 1512 ✠ LVDOVICVS - D - G - FRANCORV - REX. Bust of the King at right wearing a mantle (no lily) and crowned hood. R/ ME DIO LA NI D V X. Saint Ambrose on horseback, galloping right and brandishing a whip. Below, shield of France with three lilies cutting the legend. ♦ Fr 704; Dy 721 Gold double ducat struck in Milan (7.00 g) A very rare coin. A very fine example. For the first coin revealing a realistic portrait of a French king. Gothic letters are replaced by Latin letters. This contribution to the art of the Italian Renaissance is a major milestone in the history of French numismatics.

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