Coin (Franc) Showing Jean Le Bon

Art Historical Context

This exquisite gold franc coin, minted between 1350 and 1364, features a portrait of Jean II le Bon, King of France during a turbulent era. Measuring just 1 1/8 inches in diameter and weighing a precise 0.2, it exemplifies the craftsmanship of medieval numismatics. Produced in France amid the Hundred Years' War such coins were not only currency but symbols of royal authority, circulating as standardized gold pieces to fund military campaigns and stabilize the economy. Jean II's reign (1350–1364) was marked by conflict, including his capture at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, which led to heavy ransoms and political upheaval. Depicting the king—likely in profile, a common motif for legitimacy—this franc reflects the era's blend of artistry and propaganda. Struck from finely engraved dies, the coin's intricate details highlight early advances in minting techniques, ensuring durability and anti-counterfeiting measures. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department as a gift from Bashford Dean in 1922, this tiny treasure offers a window into 14th-century French culture, where gold coins bridged economics, heraldry, and power. Visitors will appreciate its gleaming surface, a testament to enduring royal prestige.