French Revolution 1793 - Sol

April 2024

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First Republic, L'An II (1793 - 1794). These were all well used due to the shortage of good metal coinage and are difficult and expensive find in better condition. Excellent conditioned ones are usually Restrikes. Here the details of the "All Seeing Eye" are fairly clear as is the lettering on the tablet stating the "Les Hommes Sont e'gaux devant la Loi" (Men are equal before the Law). Available preservation examples often have all or partial lettering obscured. These were issued after the monarchy was abolished and the design features all of the elements prescribed by the Convention's decree of April 26, 1793. It was ordered to have these minted from available copper and bell metal (metal de cloche) metal confiscated from church bells around the country (78% copper & 22 % tin).
This is a type I with Arabic date and Revolutionary dating depicted (one year, 1793). A type II (1794) w/o Arabic dating is scarcer. Thirteen different mintmarks exist. "AA" mintmark is from Metz, engraver is Augustin Dupre'. The two reverse symbols (Privy Marks) bracketing the 'AA' (Metz) mintmark are: left; Hermine (cross/tree) is for the local engraver at the time (AN II), Herbelet. The Bomb Privy mark is for the mint director of Metz, J. Fr. Leclerc. Obverse/reverse are in reverse order in this photo.