Frans I van Frankrijk 1607 - 1640

This silver coin, made by Pierre Regnier, features Francis I of France. On its reverse, beneath a royal crown, are two globes, symbols laden with earthly and cosmic significance. These globes echo motifs found throughout antiquity and the Renaissance, reappearing in emblems of power and knowledge. We observe this form in celestial maps and royal cartography, where the orb signifies dominion over the known world. Yet, the sphere also invokes deeper psychological undercurrents. As an archetypal symbol of completeness and unity, it taps into our collective yearning for wholeness. Think of the Renaissance concept of the "Sphaera," a term that suggests the perfect harmony of the cosmos and the individual soul. This image of the sphere, a world held within one's hand, serves as both a celebration of power and a reminder of the weighty responsibilities it entails. The power of symbols such as the globe lies in their ability to engage viewers on both a conscious and subconscious level. Thus, this coin encapsulates the spirit of an age, resurfacing in different contexts, evolving, and accruing new layers of meaning, a cycle ever ongoing.