France (1794)-Pau 2 sols

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Jean Elsen sale 138, lot 1058

This specimen was lot 1058 in Jean Elsen sale 138 (Brussels, September 2018), where it sold for €180 (about US$250 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,

"FRANCE, Convention (1792-1795), AE 2 sols à la balance, s.d. (1794), Pau. 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. Rare Patine verte. Beau à Très Beau. (France, Convention, 1792-95, undated copper double sol of the balance, Pau mint. Obverse: the table of the law between a bunch of grapes and an ear of wheat; reverse: value within wreath, above a balance scale with a liberty cap. Rare, green patina, fine to very fine.)"

This coin was minted at Orléans during the throes of the Revolution. 1794 was the year of the Terror. Amid the chaos, large quantities of these copper two sols were issued, along with six and twelve deniers (¼ and ½ 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 and is rarely found better than VG.

Recorded mintage: unknown but somewhat scarce.

Specification: 24.47 g, bronze or brass.

Catalog reference: Gad-32; KM 623.5.

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]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 138, Collection A. BLONDEL, Collection M. HENDRICKX, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2018.

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