France 1793-W 24 livres

Eliasberg lot 140

This specimen was lot 140 in the Eliasberg sale, where it sold for $18,400. The catalog description^[1] noted,

"1793(W) 24 livres. Lille mint. MS-63 (NGC). Genius inscribing tablet, legends, date, rooster around/denomination in wreath, legends around. Bright yellow gold with rich orange highlights. Some faint adjustment marks at central reverse, typical of the issue. Light hairlines noted under magnification. A rare and important issue, the first gold piece issued after the French Revolution and the only gold denomination issued between the reigns of Louis XVI and the rise of Napoleon. The 1793 24 livres was also the last of its denomination; the next gold coins would be struck after the 1803 introduction of the franc as the standard denomination of France. Far finer than usually encountered. Louis XVI was executed on January 21, 1793. Two days later, the Convention of the First Republic declared 'Citizens, the tyrant is no more. For a long time the cries of the victims, whom war and domestic dissensions have spread over France and Europe, loudly protested his existence. He has paid his penalty, and only acclamations for the Republic and for liberty have been heard from the people.' Purchased from John Zug, December 1943."

Specification: 7.62 grams, 24.40 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: Fr-478, Gadoury-62.

Source:

^[1]Kraljevich, John, John Pack, Elizabeth O. Piper and Frank Van Valen, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., Collection of World Gold Coins and Medals, Wolfboro, NH: American Numismatic Rarities, 2005.
Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.

Link to:

France 1793-W 24 livres

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