Owner Comments:
I briefly mentioned in a different write-up that I had the opportunity to acquire a small sample of high-quality pieces struck for the Monneron brothers at the Soho Mint. This piece was acquired around the same time, but from a different venue; however, it appears all these pieces were originally part of the same NGC invoice evidenced by their near consecutive certification numbers. I wish I would have been able to acquire the entire submission. This particular medal is graded by NGC as MS-65 BN PL.
The pictures are courtesy of NGC's new PhotoVision Plus Service.
Historical Context: The previous entry for a similar medal details the broad historical context of Rousseau; however, this write-up focuses on a less understood aspect – his death. I am by no stretch of the imagination an expert on Rousseau, but I am aware of the controversy surrounding his death. There is an overwhelming amount of contemporary analysis of this event that seems shrouded in misinformation. To this end, I opt to provide an account of the event from his widow published nearly twenty years after his death. Yes, you read that correctly. The death of Rousseau was still newsworthy decades after the event transpired. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Caledonian Mercury
Monday, 13 August 1798
Death of J. J. Rousseau.
Citizen Corancez Having lately published, at Paris, an essay on the writings of J. J. Rousseau, and which he states some reasons for thinking that this celebrated man anticipated the period of his life, and shot himself with the pistol, his widow has written the following letter to him, inserted in the – “Journal de Paris”.
Plessis, Belleville, 27th Prairial,
June 15, 6th year.
Maria Theresa Levasseur, widow of J. J. Rousseau, to citizen Corancez.
“Citizen,
I am justly afflicted at the details you give of the death of my husband, and after the manner in which you say you heard it related at an inn. That death is, and ever shall be, present to my memory as long as I live, and I can now retrace all its circumstances; but first accept from the widow of your friend the double reproach of having long forgotten her, and neglected to consult her previous to your writing.
On the 3d of July 1778, they're not on the 2d, my husband rose at his usual hour, it did not go out that morning: he was to have given a lesson to Mademoiselle Girardin the younger. I and the servant prepared for him whatever was necessary for the toilet. We breakfasted, but he did not; having dined the day before at the Chateau Ermenonville, and perhaps eaten rather heartily, he felt himself indisposed. After breakfast he told me that the locksmith employed in fitting up our furniture desired to be paid, and I went to take him the money. At my return (it was not yet ten o’clock), in ascending the staircase, I heard the plaintive cries of my husband. Entering hastily, I found him lying on the couch, and called for assistance he did me desist, for he had need of nobody now that I was returned. In obedience to his desire I shut the door, and threw open the windows. With all my strength I then assisted in putting my husband to bed. I made him take some drops of Eau de Carmes, which he himself poured out. I came to him holding his hands, and at the moment when I thought him much relieved, he fell with his face to the ground so forcibly as to overturn me. I raised myself, sending forth piercing cries. - The door was locked, M. Girardin, who had another key to our apartment, came in, and not Madame Girardin; I was covered with the blood which issued from the face of my husband. He then expired, holding my hands and closed in his, without uttering a single word.
I aver to you; I aver to my fellow citizens; I aver to posterity, that my husband died in my arms and the manner I have described; that he did not position himself with a dish of coffee; that he did not blow out his brains with a pistol shot.
In a short time after my husband's arrival at Ermenonville, that residence excited his fears, and he communicated to me the necessity for his return to Paris. They appeared to me unfounded (I am bathed in tears at the recollection.). No, i shall never forgive myself my obstinacy and remaining at Ermenonville. Neither the pressing instances of M. Girardin, Who often besought me on his knees not to give my content to return to Paris, nor the enormous expense which our removal cost us, and which must be again repeated, appear to me since his death, but as very weak excuses. - my husband being dead, and forgetting all that he said to me, I threw myself into the power of that man who had prostrated himself before me, I remitted him all the ready money in my house; I let him take possession of the manuscripts of L’Herbier, of the music, and those other things of which our property composed.
As rapid in his cause as an edge in its course, this man arrived at Geneva, and without consulting me, or giving me time to recollect myself, he sold all my effects for bills of exchange, which have not been paid, and for which I have since been obliged to accept of an annuity.
I should not forget to inform you, that the money which I gave him to take care of me during my life, he has repaid in assignats.
There now remains the widow of your friend, the widow of J. J. Rousseau, almost 80 years of age, only a small annuity, badly paid by some individuals, and a pension of 1500 livres granted her by the nation, of which the 5th year is now due, and which is placed upon the same footing as the great pensions and annuities. Thus does she inhabit a thatched cottage in want of almost everything.
I conclude with requesting that you will remember me to your spouse.
Marie Teresa Levasseur
Widow of J. J. Rousseau
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The above account varies substantially from prior statements given by his widow. Still, I believe some grace should be exercised given the traumatic nature of the event recalled and the passage of a considerable amount of time. Nonetheless, the inconsistencies paired with further speculation (of varying degrees of plausibility) have led some to conclude that perhaps his widow was Rousseau’s murderer (Raspail, 1913). Anyone interested in reading more should consult the reference entry for the citation above. A quick Google search will allow free access to this interesting short read.
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Obverse: The obverse depicts Rousseau facing left adorned by a traditional wig and wearing a contemporary gentleman’s coat. The most notable portion of his hair is the series of tightly formed curls that rest on the side of his head just above the ear and extending to the vertical line of his jaw. His neck is wrapped with a silk ribbon that is obscured by the collar of his coat. The top two buttons of his coat are not buttoned, but the third clearly is. Immediately below the bust appears
DUMAREST • F •. The legend
J • JACQUES ROUSSEAU NE A GENEVE EN 1712. is confined within a series of two inner rings, which are separated from the raised thin rim by a third larger ring. An interesting die flaw appears at the upper right limb of the first N.
Reverse: The reverse design is rather simple and is divided into two rings that progress in width as they approach the center of the medal. Within the widest ring of the two appears the legend
CONTRAT SOCIAL LIV • 3 • CHAP • 1 •. Within the center of the medal the legend
LA PUISSANCE LEGISLATIVE APPARTIENT AU PEUPLE ET NE PEUT APPARTENIR QU A LUI. In English -
THE LEGISLATIVE POWER BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE AND CAN ONLY BELONG TO THEM. All of this is contained within a thin raised outer rim. Several large die-polish lines can be found throughout the center of the reverse.
Edge: SE. VEND. A. PARIS. CHEZ. MONNERON (PATENTE)
Size: 34mm
Notes: This medal is the epitome of gem. The only thing I find puzzling is why NGC did not designate it as a proof strike. All of the characteristics typically associated with proofs of this era are present. Nonetheless, I am happy to simply have it in my collection. Despite it being a somewhat common medal with a reported mintage of 756 according to Tungate (2020), I find it highly unlikely that a technical upgrade is even possible.
References:
Tungate, S. (2020) Matthew Boulton and The Soho Mint: copper to customer. Worcestershire: Brewin Books.
Raspail, J. (1913) The Mystery Surrounding the Death of Jean Jacques Rousseau (illustrated). The Open Court: 1913(3), Art. 2.