French Revolution 2 Sols - Museum Gallery

This token 2 Sols was minted in Birmingham England. Late in 1791 Matthew Boulton, utilizing his newly invented steam driven coin presses, was commissioned by the Monneron Brothers of Paris France to produce 1, 2 and 5 Sols pieces in great quantity at his Soho Mint near Birmingham. According to various sources, the total weight of tokens produced was in excess of 70 tons. These 'monnaies de necessite' were to be used to remedy the lack of specie which plagued France during the early revolutionary years. The technical and aesthetic quality of the tokens was far superior to the bronze coins of the time. Late in 1790 Boulton and Watt had achieved the use of automated collared die strikes (Anglesey, Parys Mine, Druid Tokens, England).
Obverse: Gallic Liberty seated holding staff surmounted by a Liberty cap. She rests against a tablet and column pedestal with a rooster atop. Tablet reads "DROITS DE L'HOMME ARTIC. V" ("The Rights of Man, Article V"). Legend reads "LIBERTE SOUS LA LOI" ("Liberty Under the Law"). In exergue the Revolutionary date of "L'AN III DE LA LIBERTE".
Reverse: "MONNERON FRERES NEGOCIANS A PARIS .". The central legend is "MEDAILLE DE CONFIANCE DE DEUX SOLS A ECHANGER CONTRE DES ASSIGNATS DO 50L ET AUDESSUS." I take this to mean something like: 'This medal of confidence, worth 2 Sols, is exchangable for (paper) Assignats (50 livre). The edge inscription is : "BON POUR BORD MARSEIL. LYON ROUEN.NANT ET STRASB." Mazard No. 152. Varieties exist with different edge inscriptions and one minted in silver.
Note this is the 1791 issue, the 1792 design has "REVOLUTION FRANCAISE" on the reverse.

VIEW & DOWNLOAD:
Here is the link to the BEST article on Matthew Boulton, the Industrialization of Coinage, and the Monneron Brother's wonderful token coinage during the French Revolution:
Boulton and the Monnerons - Margolis: /library/Boulton%20and%20the%20Monnerons%20-%20Margolis.pdf