Obverse
Obverse legend : * GASTON. DE. FRANCE - FRERE. VNICQVE. DV. ROY.
Obverse description : Écu d’Orléans (de France au lambel à trois pendants) couronné et entouré des colliers des ordres du roi.
Reverse
Reverse legend : .MINOR MAIORE SVPERSTES. ; À L'EXERGUE : .1639..
Reverse description : La constellation des Gémeaux dans un ciel étoilé.
Reverse translation : Plus petit, tu t'élèveras au-dessus du plus grand.
Historical background
DOMBES - PRINCIPALITY OF DOMBES - GASTON OF ORLEANS
(1628-1657)
Gaston (1608-1660) is the third son of Henri IV and Marie de Médicis. He received the title of Duke of Orleans after the death of his brother Nicolas in 1611.. He was engaged the same year to the daughter of Duke Henri de Bourbon-Montpensier whom he married in 1626.. She died in 1627 giving birth to a little girl, Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans (1627-1693), the future Grande Mademoiselle. Gaston is usufructuary for his daughter until the period 1650-1657. He's a born conspirator. He first supports his mother, of whom he is the favorite son, against his brother Louis XIII. He returned to grace in 1625, but still participated in the Day of the Dupes in 1630. He was forced to leave the kingdom, took refuge in Lorraine and plotted with Duke Charles IV, whose sister he married, Marguerite de Lorraine (1615-1672), in 1632 and with whom he had three daughters.. Louis XIII invades Lorraine and breaks this marriage. At the end of the reign of Louis XIII, he reconciled with his brother after the death of Richelieu. After the death of Louis XIII, he will be one of the main actors of the Fronde between 1645 and 1654. He returned to grace after 1657, returned the Dombes to his daughter and died in 1660, leaving his collections to his nephew, Louis XIV..