France 1761-A 2 sols
This coin, called a double sol aux 2 L couronnés, was an attempt by the government of France to displace all the low grade silver pieces circulating 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 1738-64 and is recorded for the Paris mint ("A") for every year except 1755. The first specimen was lot 1076 in Stephen Album sale 30 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2018), where it sold for $176.25. The catalog description[2] noted, "FRANCE: Louis XV, 1715-1774, BI 2 sols, Paris, 1761-A, AU."
Recorded mintage: 154,200, a better date[1].
Specification: 2.18 g, 0.250 fine silver, 21-22 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by J.-C. Roéttiers, the first specimen 2.16 g.
Catalog reference: Duplessy 1690; Ciani 2138; KM 500.1, Dr/2 № 595, Dr/4 № 859.
- [1]Droulers, Frédéric, Répertoire General des Monnaies de Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610-1792), 4e édition. Paris: AFPN, 2009.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [2]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 30, featuring the George Anderson Collection of Tibetan Coins, the Dr. John W. Lund Collection of Swedish Coins and the Mike Edwards Collection, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2018.
Link to:
- 1758-A double sol aux 2 L couronnés
- 1761-A vingtième d'écu au bandeau
- 1761-A dixième d'écu au bandeau
- 1761-W demi-écu au bandeau
- 1761 demi-écu du Béarn au bandeau
- 1761-A écu au bandeau
- 1761-R écu au bandeau
- 1761-BB double louis d'or au bandeau
- 1761 double louis d'or au bandeau du Béarn
- 1762-A double sol aux 2 L couronnés
- Coins and currency dated 1761
- return to French royal coinage (to 1793)