Corsica 1768 soldo
This specimen was lot 1085 in Jean Elsen sale 162 (Brussels, June 2025), where it sold for €3,000 (about US$4,158 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, CORSE, Pascal Paoli (1755-1769), Billon 1 soldo, 1768, Corte. D/ Chapeau de la liberté. R/ Valeur et millésime dans un cartouche. Rare. (France, Corsica, Pascal Paoli, 1755-69, billon one soldo of 1768, Corte mint. Obverse: liberty cap; reverse: value and date in a cartouche. Rare, Very Fine.)"
We have filed this rare issue under Genoa, which in 1765 was the nominal ruler of the island. In 1768, the Genoese, unable to subdue the rebellion, cheerfully sold Corsica to the French, which proceeded to reconquer the island with fire and desolation. This rare type was struck 1768 only by Pasquale Paoli, the leader of the rebels.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.05-1.20 g, billon, 16 mm diameter, this specimen 1,01 g.
Catalog reference: KM C5, Gad-5.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 162: Collection Jacques Druart, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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