Difference between revisions of "France 1793-H 1/2 sol"

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* [[France 1793-A sol|1793-A ''sol aux balance'']]
 
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Revision as of 14:41, 22 September 2025

CNG Lissner sale, lot 312
Jean Elsen sale 162, lot 1011
JE162-1011r.jpg

The first specimen was lot 312 in Classical Numismatic Group's sale of the Lissner Collection (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $968. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE, Premier République. Convention nationale. 1792-1795. CU Demi-sol aux balances. La Rochelle mint; différents: anchor and pitcher. J. Jacques Biollay, engraver. François Séguy, director. Dually dated 1793 H and L’An 2. In NGC encapsulation graded MS 64 BN. Darkish brown with faint underlying luster. A very rare one year type struck at only two mints. Almost never seen or offered and the only one ever encapsulated." The second specimen was lot 1011 in Jean Elsen sale 162 (Brussels, June 2025), where it sold for €360 (about US$499 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,

"FRANCE, Convention (1792-1795), Cu demi-sol aux balances, 1793 H, an 2, La Rochelle. Refrappe. D/ Table de la Loi entre une grappe et des épis. R/ Valeur dans une couronne et sous une balance portant le bonnet de la Liberté. (France, convention, 1792-95, copper half sol of the balance of 1793, year 2, La Rochelle mint, restruck. Obverse: the table of the law between a bunch of grapes and wheat stalks; reverse: value in a wreath under a balance sporting a liberty cap. Extremely Fine.)"

This coin was minted at La Rochelle during the throes of the Revolution. 1793 was the year the king was guillotined. Amid the chaos, these copper half sols were issued, along with one and two sols. The 1791-93 issues bear the bust of the king but his ouster forced the removal of his portrait. The obverse shows the tablet of the law with the motto, "LES HOMMES SONT EGAUX DEVANT LA LOI," (all men are equal before the law) and the reverse shows the balance scales of justice. This type was hurriedly and crudely made at Limoges and La Rochelle only and is rarely found better than VG.

Recorded mintage: est. 60,000 for Limoges and La Rochelle combined.

Specification: bronze or brass, 6.11 g, 25 mm diameter. The first specimen is Ø26 mm, 7.55 g, 6h axis, the second specimen 6,02 g.

Catalog reference: Gad-10; KM 618.1.

Sources:

  • Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
  • Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
  • [1]Teller, M. Louis, and Victor England, Jr., The Richard Lissner Collection, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, 2014.
  • [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 162: Collection Jacques Druart, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.

Link to:

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