Anglo-Gallic, Edward III, Duke of Aquitaine, 1325-1377. AV Ecu d'or à la chaise, Bordeaux (?), im. cross potent. Struck c.1345-c.1352. King enthroned holding sword and shield, rev. floriate cross. Trefoil after P of XPC. Pellet and saltire stops. 4.48 g. Elias 33; AGC 38A 2/a; S.8035. Hairline edge crack. Richly toned. Near EF. Rare. Ex Spink 207, 23 March 2011, lot 292; Spink 161, 14 November 2002, lot 92. The Ecu d’or is the earliest gold coin in the Anglo-Gallic series. The type closely imitates the Ecu d’or of Philip VI of France, which had been struck from 1337, the year in which Philip confiscated the Duchy of Guyenne from Edward, prompting the English king to assert his claim to the French throne, thus beginning the conflict that became known as the Hundred Years War. The floriate cross on the reverse had previously been employed on the Leopard of Edward’s first abortive English gold Florin coinage of 1344.