Kingdom of France, Isles du Vent (Antilles), Louis XV, 12 Sols 1731

In the year 1635, the French invaded Guadeloupe, Martinique, and some other islands of the Lesser Antilles. In the 18th century, they started to cultivate sugarcane and coffee, and to export those goods to Europe. Trade was conducted in French currency. From 1731, King Louis XV (1715-1774) had special silver coins issued for this purpose. This coin has a value of 12 sols and belongs to the very first emission of French colonial coins for the West Indies. The obverse depicts the king's bust, and the letter H for the mint in La Rochelle. The reverse gives the old name for the Lesser Antilles, ISLES DU VENT, and the date.