Owner Comments:
1785-A Louis d'or - Design: OBVERSE: Bust of King Louis XVI; Legend: LUD. XVI. D. G. FR. - ET NAV. REX. [Louis XVI, By The Grace Of God, King Of France and Navarre] ~ REVERSE: A crown over two oval shields (France and Navarre), Legend: CHRS. REGN. VINC. IMPER [Christ Reigns, Overcomes and Commands]
Mint: Paris (P)
Mintage: 893,656
References: KM #591.1 / Fr. 467 / C.2183
Specifications: Diameter – 24.0mm
Weight – 7.6490 g. @ 0.9170 Gold = .2255 oz AGW
Acquired: February 2008
Providence: None
Notes:
Ø 1785 was the first year for minting this design.
Ø Also commonly known as a “Louis d’or à la tête nue” and uncommonly as an “aux écus accolés”.
Ø Mint Director’s Privy Mark – “Heron” = Jean Dupeyron de LaCoste
Ø In its first edition, F Droulers gave a mintage figure of 49.805; the current count documented is 893.656.
Ø This coin exhibits a weakness of striking on the highest parts of hair of the king, with no haymarks (weight adjustment scrapes)
Ø This coin is considered “R” on a rarity scale of “RRR” by cgb.fr
Ø Louis XVI, King of France, arrived in the wrong historical place at the wrong time and was soon overwhelmed by events beyond his control. Ascending the throne in 1774, Louis inherited a realm driven nearly bankrupt through the opulence of his predecessors Louis XIV and XV. After becoming King, things only got worse. The economy spiraled downward (unemployment in Paris in 1788 is estimated at 50%), crops failed and the price of bread and other food soared. The people were very unhappy. To top it off, Louis had the misfortune to marry an unpopular foreigner, the Austrian Marie Antoinette. In 1788, Louis was forced to reinstate France's National Assembly (the Estates-General), which quickly curtailed the king's powers. July of the following year marked the start of the French Revolution (July 1789-1892). The mobs of Paris stormed the hated prison at the Bastille. With power was shifted to their side, the mob forced the imprisonment of Louis and his family. Louis attempted escape in 1791 but was captured and returned to Paris. In 1792, the newly elected National Convention declared France a Republic and brought Louis to trial for crimes against the people. Louis was found guilty and executed on January 20, 1793. He was 38.