{"product_id":"1685-france-louis-xiv-ae-damascened-medal-on-the-revocation-of-the-edict-of-nantes","title":"1685 France Louis XIV AE Damascened Medal on the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes","description":"\u003cp\u003e1685 France Louis XIV AE Damascened Medal on the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, by M. Molart and J. Roettiers. Plain edge.\u003cbr\u003e\nLUDOVICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS, laureate armored and draped older bust right, R below || HAERESIS EXTINCTA, personification of Religion standing front, holding cross and facing left, vanquishing a heretic at her feet below, temple behind, EDICTVM OCTOBRIS MDCLXXXV MOLART F in exergue.\u003cbr\u003e\n72mm, 146.35g. Divo 209 var.\u003cbr\u003e\nIn uncirculated condition, with gilding intact. A choice example with lovely chocolate brown surfaces. An extremely rare type that has never been offered publicly as a damascened example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpertly damascened, a famed technique popular in the Baroque era, particularly in France. The raised surfaces have been carefully gilded in gold, creating a striking and beautiful bicolor appearance. These medals are extremely rare and were used as presentation pieces in the French Court.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Revocation of the Edict of Nantes was one of the most controversial and consequential religious policies of King Louis XIV, ending nearly a century of protection for French Protestants, known as Huguenots. During the late 16th century, France was devastated by a series of devastating religious wars. Sparked by the Protestant Reformation’s spread into France during the 1500s, Huguenots were frequently the target of violence, most notably at the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in 1572, where thousands were murdered across France. In 1598, the Edict of Nantes, issued by King Henri IV, put an end to the violence by granting Huguenots limited freedom of worship, civil rights, and certain security guarantees. Decades later however, the deeply Catholic Louis XIV, sought to end these protections in an effort to strengthen royal authority through religious unity. He issued the Edict of Fontainebleau on October 18th of 1685, formally revoking the Edict of Nantes. Protestant worship was again outlawed, churches ordered destroyed, and ministers being forced to convert or face deportation. As a result of the edict, an estimated 150,000-200,000 Huguenots fled France to the surrounding Protestant countries. Many of these refugees were skilled artisans, merchants, and professionals, representing a significant loss for France’s economy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Numismatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51005384949946,"sku":null,"price":3750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0776\/8709\/5482\/files\/1685_Louis_XIV_Damascened_Gilt_Medal.jpg?v=1794240774","url":"https:\/\/apexnumismatics.com\/products\/1685-france-louis-xiv-ae-damascened-medal-on-the-revocation-of-the-edict-of-nantes","provider":"Apex Numismatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}