72, Lot: 124. Estimate $150. Sold for $195. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

FRANCE. Louis IX (St. Louis). 1245-1270. AR Gros Tournois (25mm, 3.75 gm). Struck circa 1266-1270. + BNDICTV: SIT: NOME: DNI: NRI: DEI: IhV: XPI, + LVDOVICVS • REX, cross pattée / Châtel tournois; floral border of twelve embedded lis. Duplessy 190D var. (pellet placement in legend); Ciani -. Toned, nice VF.

The Gros Tournois was a coin of great popularity in medieval France. Its acceptability lead it to be imitated widely, and the design lent itself to the Deniers Tournois of Frankish Greece. Similarly, the denomination was used in Tripoli as the basis of Frankish silver coinage. Louis IX (St. Louis), a strong, charismatic, and pious king, persuaded many of his vassals to join him in waging the Seventh Crusade.