France 1744-BB 2 sols

Heritage sale 61496, lot 24131

This coin, called a double sol aux 2 L couronnés, was an attempt by the government to displace all the low grade silver pieces circulating in France since the time of Louis XIII. It was theoretically equal to 24 deniers but was actually worth much less. Most survivors today are in poor condition. The type was struck 1738-69. This specimen was lot 24131 in Heritage sale 61496 (Dallas, TX, April 2025), where it sold for $114. The catalog description^[1] noted, "France: Louis XV Sou Marque 1744-BB AU53 PCGS, Strasbourg mint."

Recorded mintage: 327,046.

Specification: 2.18 g, 0.250 fine silver, 21-22 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by J.-C. Röettiers.

Catalog reference: Gad-281, Dr/2 № 595, Dr/4 № 859, KM 500.4.

Source:

• Droulers, Frédéric, Répertoire General des Monnaies de Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610-1792), 4e édition. Paris: AFPN, 2009.
• Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
• Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Royales Françaises, 1610-1792, 5me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2018.
• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
• ^[1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2025 April 28 Spotlight: France & French Colonies World Coins Showcase Auction #61496, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2025.

Links to:

• 1743-W double sol aux 2 L couronnés
• 1744-P double sol aux 2 L couronnés
• 1744-W double sol aux 2 L couronnés
• 1744-AA vingtième d'écu au bandeau
• 1744-X vingtième d'écu au bandeau
• 1744-G demi-écu au bandeau
• 1744-T écu au bandeau
• 1744-AA louis d'or au bandeau
• 1744-W louis d'or au bandeau
• 1744-BB double louis d'or au bandeau
• 1744-K double louis d'or au bandeau
• 1745-W double sol aux 2 L couronnés
• Coins and currency dated 1744
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)