Moneta
Registered: August 2005 Location: Arizona USA Posts: 2,365
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The Parisian company of 'Lefevre, Lesage and Company' doesn't have a lot of definitive history available. The KM SCWC catalog indicates two types, but more detailed French works indicate that there are 5 varieties of the 10 Sols. The company issued 5, 10, & 20 Sol denominations. Among the 'Trusted Money' of the French Revolution these issues are unusual because they were struck in silver. Featuring familiar themes, a figure of the Genius of France (a French Miss Liberty), a rooster, columns, Liberty Cap on a spear and a page from the constitution noting the 'Right of Man' specified in Article V.
The designer and manufacturer are unknown and there is some speculation as to which LeSage was involved. A Jacques-Guillaume LeSage was a commissioner to the king for monetary control, so that's one possibility. These coins were struck in the spring of 1792 and by decrees of the city of Paris and the central government (June & September 1792) they were demonetized, confiscated, and the factory closed. These were also distributed and used in Nimes where there was a factory branch.
It's unusual to find these with the value clearly rendered in the strike. After searching for various silver issues of the Revolution I can say it is quite common to see them with unusual dark spots, and evidence that someone has tried to remove them.
Obverse legend: LEFEVRE LESAGE ET COMPie Ngt A PARIS.
Reverse legend around: ET AU DESSUS LAN4 ME DE LA LIBERTE 1792
Reverse center: B.P. (Bon Pour - value) 10 SOLS A ECHANGER EN ASSIGNATS DE 50#
The varieties are described in "MONNAIES DE CONFIANCE" by Reynaud (2nd ed. 2016) put this coin as the type with small '5' in 50 (Rx) and a dot at 6 o'clock (rather than 7) on the obverse and coin rotation. REYNAUD #17 d (KM Tn19).
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