Owner Comments:
The French token coinage struck at the Soho Mint is in a league of its own. Not only are the 5 Sol pieces crowned-sized, but they are loaded with intricate details and revolutionary symbols. They also distinction of being one of the first real tests for the Soho Mint machinery as noted in the introductory text for this set. Aesthetically pleasing, large, copper, and rich in history. What more could you possibly want? Oh, did I also mention that they are relatively affordable?
Obverse: The obverse design is a relatively intense deception of the Fête de la Fédération. I will do my best to describe it, but viewers are encouraged to make their observations based on the images provided. The main scene is contained within a vertically oblong oval. A large pyramidal column appears in the immediate background of a helmeted female draped in robes is depicted facing right. Presumably, this woman is an allegorical figure of the French Republic. Her left arm is completely obscured by the tablet in her hands, which is inscribed
CONSTITUTION DES FRANCAIS. An oddly shaped shield appears to her right, which is decorated with a series of fine horizontal lines that are superseded by fleur de lis. She is seated on what appears to be a solid platform, like what one would see on a statue or monument. The side of which includes the engraver's name
DUPRÉ. F. . Although uncollected to the platform, a slightly taller albeit narrower platform is depicted. We only see one side, but there is an engraving of what appears to be King Louis XVI. A slightly disheveled laurel wreath is affixed above and to the sides of the king’s portrait. In the foreground immediately in front of these platforms a small group of partially unraveled scrolls. There is indistinct writing on the upper scroll, but we can see
PRIV on the one resting on the ground. I assume this is a nod to the abandonment of privileges. To the immediate right of the seated figure appears a large group of Garde Nationale soldiers marching in formation in full uniform with slight variations in headgear. Their right arm is raised and pointing straight, presumably a symbol of their oath to the republic. The soldier in the immediate foreground is grasping the hilt of his sword with his left hand. Several more rows of soldiers holding rifles with bayonets affixed are either directly depicted or implied to exist behind this first row of saluting soldiers. One of the soldiers, either from the first or second row, is hoisting his sword high in the air. Although not all are clear enough to describe, at least four flags are presented by the soldiers. The most prominent of which is embellished with a liberty cap above a scroll that I believe is supposed to read as
VIVRES LIBRES OU MOURIR. Above this entire scene, but still contained in the oval, appear the words
PACTE FEDERATIF. . In two lines, the legend
14 JUILLET. 1790 appears in the exergue. The oblong oval is contained within the perfectly formed inner circle with a slightly raised rim, within which appears the legend
VIVRE LIBRES on the left, and
OU MOURIR. on the right. The entire design is enclosed by a toothed border. The obverse of this example is beautifully toned with hints of reb, cobalt blue, and magenta.
Reverse: The obverse is stunning and outshines the reverse, which lacks a bit of imagination. The entire reverse design is contained within a toothed border. Tightly hugging this border appears the legend
MONNERON FRERES NEGOCIANS A PARIS, which is separated by an inner raised ring. The date 1792 appears at the bottom. Within the inner ring appears the legend
MEDAILLE DE CONFIANCE DE CINQ-SOLD REMBOURSABLE EN ASSIGNATS DE 50. ET AU DESSUS in seven lines. An exergue line appears but does not bisect the inner ring. Under this line, it reads
L’AN IV. DE LA LIBERTE in two lines.
Edge: Départements de Paris. Rhone et Loire. Du Gard (incuse)
Notes: The typical obverse design of these coins is rather intense by Soho Mint standards. Intricate details abound throughout the central devices, and this is likely because the design is an adaptation of Agustin Dupré’s work. Although a notable engraver, he was not under the purview of Boulton and had no obligation to oblige to the simplistic elegance standard of the Soho mint. Nonetheless, this is an amazing design to study closely. There is no lack of attention to detail – even the soldiers down the line have distinct facial features. This fact is even more impressive when considering that these pieces were struck in mass quantities during a very short period in the 1790s.
This coin is currently tied with one other for the finest graded at PCGS.