1723-A French Colonies Louis d’Or. Paris Mint. Gadoury-388, Breen-299. Type I, Short Palms. Le Chameau Treasure. AU Details--Environmental Damage (PCGS). One of three examples of this date-mint combination acquired by John Ford directly from the wreck salvors as part of his consulting payment. In the Ford XIII sale, this was described as "Deeper yellow gold with some traces of old encrustation and darker toning spots on both sides." This pieces appearance underscores what Ford looked for in the examples he selected: originality and an attractive, natural appearance. This piece is exceptionally detailed and nearly ideally centered. Both sides are free of notable adjustment marks, an infrequently encountered characteristic of the type; a single diagonal line in the upper right reverse blends in but remains from the planchet adjustment process. Graded "Uncirculated" in the Ford sale, this piece was undoubtedly uncirculated on a technical basis, though the Nova Scotia surf has left some high point wear. A particularly handsome example of the date-mint combination or the general type. Of the 513 Louis dors included in the original 1971 Parke-Bernet auction, 18 were dated 1723-A, leaving this tied as the seventh most common combination PCGS# 436633. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from the 1725 wreck of Le Chameau; Alex Storm and salvors to John J. Ford, Jr., 1971; our (Stacks) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XIII, January 2006, lot 385; Jeff Rock Collection, September 2006.
