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France - 1793

I S - Nantes

Obverse:

Probably a proclamation of some sort, it is completely worn off with the exception of a couple of letters. In the field a bunch of grapes and a sheaf of wheat. This probably was meant to symbolize the plenty that the Republic would bring.

Legend:

[REPUB]IQUE FRANCOISE.

Exergue:

L'AN II.

Size:

28 mm.

Reverse:

An oak wreath with a scale, topped by a liberty hat.

Legend:

[LIBER]TE EGALITE
1. S.

Exergue:

Mintmark: T (Nantes)

Vern's Comments:

This poor coin looks like it barely survived to join my collection! The planchet really is as damaged as it looks, one wonders if it began existence this way. Full of Revolutionary symbolism this coin was struck within a year of the infamous "vertical deportations", where thousands were drowned in the river Loire at Nantes for lack of republican zeal.

"Yet another Dupré design, this is listed in the French catalogue 'Argus des Monnaies Françaises de la Révolution' as a Sol à la table de Loi (Sol of the table of the Law). The inscription on the table of the Law reads "LES HOMMES SONT EGAUX DEVANT LA LOI" (men are equal before the law). The object directly above the table is a radiant eye - I recall reading somewhere that this represents the all-seeing eye of the law, but it may also represent the eye of reason - an image used by Dupré on the 1791 fifteen sols coin. The coin is listed as made of copper or bell-metal. By the way, the wreath around the scales is an oak one - the oak wreath denotes civic power as opposed to the laurel wreath of the ancien régime which denotes royal or imperial power."

Thanks to Mish Webster for the info!

Hennin:

N^o. 601. Pl. 59.

31 Décembre 1793.

Monnaie.

Les hommes sont égaux devant la loi. L'an 2.
R. I S (Un sou) 1793.

REPUBLIQUE FRANÇOISE. une table sur laquelle on lit, en caractères creux, ces mots: LES HOMMES SONT EGAUX DEVANT LA LOI - Dupré. Cette table est placée entre une grappe de raisin et une gerbe de blé; au-dessus il y à une il rayonnant. En bas: L'AN II.

LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ. Une couronne de chêne dans laquelle est une balance dont les deux bassins sont en équilibre; la poignée est surmontée du bonnet de la Liberté. Au milieu: I S. (Un sou). En bas, la lettre A et deux fleurons, au milieu desquels: 1793. [29^m.]. Cuivre ou métal de cloche.

Voyez l'article de la pièce N^o. 597.
La lettre A est la marque de l'hôtel des monnaies de Paris.