France - Louis XVI ECU - 1793

This is a post execution issue that retained the royal portrait deep into the French Revolution. Head of Louis XVI the the left with legend: LOUIS XVI ROI DES FRANCOIS, with date below - 1793. Reverse features the new desgin by Dupre known as the Genius or 'Angel Writing' the latest French Constitution. This figure stands between a Fasces/Liberty Cap on the left and the national symbol, a Rooster on the right, with the mintmark 'A' for Paris. The Lyre on the left is and engravers Privy Mark that indicates Francois Bernier (1774 - 1793) was the engraver. Legend; REGNI DE LA LOI (Rule of Law or Reign by law). In exergue is the Revolutionary date system L'AN 5 DE LA LIBERTE. Edge legend raised 'LA NATION LA LOI ET LE LOI'. Like a majority of strikes in France at this period, there are 'adjustment marks' from the time of minting.

In 1792, the well‐known French coin designer, Augustin Dupre, designed a beautiful new Gold Angel coin for King Louis XVI. But as the French Revolution erupted, Dupre's fortunes took a dramatic turn and he suddenly found himself sentenced to death at the guillotine. As legend has it, Dupre stood before the guillotine to be executed one stormy day and he pulled one of the Angel coins he had designed out of his pocket and rubbed it for good luck. At that moment, a bolt of lightning struck‐‐causing his execution to be postponed. Before it could be rescheduled, Augustin Dupre was granted a pardon. From that day on, he
proclaimed that it was the lucky Angel coin which had literally saved his neck!
Napoleon's Lucky Angel: Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have carried an Angel coin in his vest pocket throughout his steady rise to power in France. As Napoleon's empire grew, his Angel coin accompanied him on each heroic campaign.
But legend tells us that, on the eve of a great battle in 1815, he reportedly flung his coin arrogantly into a river. The very next day, Napoleon was defeated in the Battle of Waterloo and forced into exile.
Carried by Sea Captains, Generals and Heroes: In times of conflict and danger, Angel coins have long been believed to provide safety andprotection. Generals issued them to fighter pilots in both WWI and WWII for luck. Pilots in the Korean War, Vietnam, and Desert Storm were also known to carry Angel coins for good luck. Ship captains and fishermen are said to have refused to go to sea without one. These days, many rescue and police heroes have proclaimed the Angel's powers of luck and protection.