Charles V franc à cheval

The franc à cheval of Charles V, introduced in 1364, marks an important step in the monetary stabilization of the kingdom after the crises of the Hundred Years’ War. This gold coin was created to finance the reconquest of the territory and to restore the weakened royal authority. The iconography of the armed king on horseback symbolizes the sovereignty and legitimacy of the Capetian power in the face of political turmoil. Through his monetary reform, Charles V ensured the kingdom’s financial stability. The franc à cheval thus remains a major witness to the reconstruction of the state in the 14th century.