📜 Did you know? 📜 💰 The history of the Gros Tournois under Louis IX 💰
During the reign of Louis IX, also known as Saint Louis, France underwent major reforms, including in the monetary field. One of the most famous creations of this era is the "Gros Tournois" coinage, introduced in 1266. 
THE "Gros Tournois" was a 4.22 gram silver coin, first issued at the Paris Mint. Its nominal value was 12 deniers tournois, making it a high-value coin at the time. Its minting was a response to the need for a strong and stable currency, reflecting the economic expansion of the kingdom and strengthening France's place in international trade. 
The obverse of the coin featured a cross surrounded by the legend "LVDOVICVS REX", while the reverse depicted a fortified castle, a symbol of royal power and stability. This coin quickly became a model for many other coins in Europe, due to its quality and purity.
Numismatists particularly appreciate the Gros Tournois for its beauty and history. To discover such a coin today is to hold in one's hands a precious fragment of the French Middle Ages, a time when money played a central role in asserting the sovereignty of the king. 
Illustrative photo: Large tournaments from 1266-1270; ∅ 25 mm, m = 4.10 g. Inscriptions:
LVDOVICVS• REX, cross pattée;
TVRONV•S• CIVIS, tournois castle bordered with fleurs-de-lys.
License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.fr : Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com
