France, Charles X., 1824-1830, 5 Francs 1830 MA

Russia, Anna, 1730-1740, Rouble 1734

Sweden, Charles XI., 1660-1697, 2 Mark 1692

Russia, Paul I., 1796-1801, Rouble 1800 CM

PORTUGUESE INDIA, Maria II., 1834-1853, Pardau 1845

Bust l.

Rs.PARDAO in laurel wreath.

Italy, Sardinia, Charles Felix, 1821-1831, 5 Lire 1826

Netherlands, Zeeland, Republic of the United Netherlands, 1543-1795, Rijksdaalder 16__

Date not readable

Sweden, Charles XV., 1859-1872, Ducat 1865 ST

France, Francis I., 1515-1547, Ecu d'or au soleil undated
 

Sun across crowned coat of arms

Rv.Cross fleury, two F and two lis in angles

Historical

Francis I (* 12 September 1494 in Paris, France; * 31 March 1547 in Paris) was King of France from 1515 until his death in 1547. He was the son of Charles Count of Angouléme and Louise of Savoy. 

His reign highlighted important cultural changes that accompanied the rise of absolute monarchy in France, the spread of humanism and Protestantism, and the beginning of French exploration of the so-called New World. In addition, he was considered a promoter of a standardised French language and as a patron of the arts he "initiated" the French Renaissance by inviting famous Italian artists to work at Chambord Castle. Among them at the time was the famous polymath Leonardo da Vinci (1452 - 1519). After Da Vinci's death, Francis I of France acquired the world-famous oil painting of the Mona Lisa for four thousand gold florins, which at that time was still in the estate of Da Vinci's student Salaj. Today, the original painting has been on display in the Musée du Louvre, the central art museum in Paris, since the end of the 18th century.

In relation to French political concerns and in his struggle against the imperial hegemony of the Habsburg monarchy, Francis I sought the support of Henry VIII of England. When this proved unsuccessful, he formed a Franco-Ottoman alliance with the Muslim Sultan Suleiman I (1496 - 1566). However, this alliance was a controversial move for a Christian king at the time. Nevertheless, the cooperation between France and the Ottoman Empire is considered "the first non-ideological alliance of this kind, between a Christian and a non-Christian empire".

Italy, Cisalpine Republic, 1798-1802, 30 Soldi Anno IX=1801

Bust of Republica r.

Rv.5-Line inscription