© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
Ecu - William IX
| Silver | - | - |
| Issuer | Principality of Orange (French States) |
|---|---|
| Prince | William IX (1647-1650) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1649-1650 |
| Value | 1 Ecu (18⁄5) |
| Currency | Livre |
| Composition | Silver |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#33784 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Crowned shield with three pseudo-lilies under a horn; DE as a monogram below.
Script: Latin
Lettering: SOLI DEO HONOR ET GLORIA
Translation: Only to god, honor and glory.
Engraver: Louis Deslonges
Interesting fact
The Ecu coin from the Principality of Orange, which was issued during the reign of William IX in 1649-1650, was made of silver, but it was also one of the first coins to feature a depiction of a person of African descent. The coin's reverse side features a portrait of a black man, believed to be a representation of a slave, which was a controversial and progressive move for its time. This fact highlights the complex history of the Principality of Orange and its connections to the transatlantic slave trade.
