FRANCE, Provincial. Bretagne. Duché de Bretagne. François II, 1458-1488. Cavalier d'or (Gold, 29 mm, 3.34 g, 7 h), Rennes. ✠ FRANCISCVS*DЄI*GRACIA* - BRITON*DVX* Armored François II on caparisoned horse to right, holding sword in his right hand and reins and shield in his left. Rev. ✠ *DЄVS*IN*ADIVTORIVM*MЄVM*IN*TANDЄ* R*. Boudeau 133. Duplessy 334. Friedberg 96. Poey d'Avant 1313. Slightly cleaned and with minor areas of weakness, otherwise, good extremely fine.



The striking obverse, depicting the armed François II on horseback, reflects the role that war played during his reign. Throughout his life, François II sought to keep Brittany independent from the Kingdom of France. After initial successes, however, he was forced to acknowledge the authority of the French king following his defeat at Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier on 28 July 1488 - a turning point that marked the permanent loss of Brittany’s independence.