France 1749-H 2 sols
This specimen was lot 45630 in Stack's Bowers Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction (Pittsburgh, September 2026), where it sold for $149. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRENCH COLONIES. 2 Sols (Sou Marque), 1749-H. La Rochelle Mint. Louis XV. NGC VF-25." 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 and is recorded for La Rochelle for 1739-51.
Recorded mintage: 105,000.
Specification: 2.18 g, 0.208 fine silver, 22 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by J.-C. Röettiers.
Catalog reference: KM-500.9, Gad-281, Dupl-1690; Dr/2 № 595, Dr/4 № 859.
- [2]Droulers, Frédéric, Répertoire General des Monnaies de Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610-1792), 4e édition. Paris: AFPN, 2009.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Royales Françaises, 1610-1792, 5me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2018.
- Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2026.
Link to:
- 1748-C double sol aux 2 L couronnés
- 1749-W vingtième d'écu au bandeau
- 1749-AA dixième d'écu au bandeau
- 1749-C écu au bandeau
- 1749-T écu au bandeau
- 1749-X écu au bandeau
- 1749-A louis d'or au bandeau
- 1749-A demi-louis d'or au bandeau
- 1749-O louis d'or au bandeau
- 1749-W louis d'or au bandeau
- 1749-& louis d'or au bandeau
- 1751-A double sol aux 2 L couronnés
- Coins and currency dated 1749
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)