This is an interesting coin minted during the French Revolution, specifically during the period of the National Convention after the storming of the Tuileries in 1792 and the execution of the French King Louis XVI in Jan. 1793. The National Convention 1792 -1 795 was the ruling body in France during this troubled period and counted among its members Robespierre, Danton and Marat. Its rule covered the so-called Reign of Terror, during which many of the leaders of the French revolution where themselves victims of the revolution, and died on the guillotine - 'La Revolution Mange ses Enfants' (the revolution eats its own children). Ironically, this Ecu de 6 Livres proclaims on the obverse the 'Regne de la Loi' (Rule of Law). This period in french history was anything but that. To the coin: this is a fairly scarce type, and much more so when in better condition than this example which I recently was able to find. I find this coin very appealing, showing the Genius of the revolution writing on a tablet. The most common of the type are those minted in Paris. My coin was minted at Lille, and it shows a prominent die break on the reverse which accounts for its weak strike. A fairly scarce coin in reasonable condition nonetheless.
Another great coin Eduard made even nicer IMO by the die break. These type of "flaws" only add character to a coin. Thanks for the history lesson as well as posting the picture. Bruce
Nice coin and an interesting piece of history! Now as for that règne de la loi motto, well, the genius is writing the constitution which France did not have until the 1789 revolution. Of course the Jacobins had other priorities than the division of powers for example but I suppose that the phrase emphasizes something like, the country is not ruled by the absolute king but by written law. Does not quite match reality? Well, coins are issued by governments ... Christian
