Battle of Sluys Coin

This is the first English gold coin and commemorates the action off Sluys, June 24, 1340; the first major battle of the hundred years war. The battle occurred when English fleet of over two hundred ships lead by King Edward III attacked a similarly sized French fleet in order prevent a French invasion of England. The battle featured archer attacks and hand-to-hand combat. The French lost more than 160 vessels and 16,000 men.

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