Italy - Siege of Mantua AN VII (1799)

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This coin is part of the French Revolutionary Wars series the Moneta Museum tries to accumulate. Initially the Austrians were under siege in 1796. As the wars progressed the shoe was on the other foot as the French forces came under siege in Mantua. This coin was struck during that short siege of April to the end of July of 1799. You can see the much more available 1 Soldi here in the Museum at this: /showphoto.php?photo=2467&title=siege-of-mantua1799&cat=893
Napoleon had occupied Mantua in northern Italy during the first siege in 1797. Now the Austrians were back with 40k troops vs the French forces of 10k holding Mantua.
The Siege of Mantua (1799) was a four-month effort by the Austrian army to regain a presence in northern Italy after being excluded from that region by Napoleon Bonaparte through the successful French Siege of Mantua in 1797. In April 1799, the Austrians placed a military blockade around Mantua as part of the War of the Second Coalition with the intent of withering the French by attrition. While the diminishing food supplies and losses weakened the French army, the Austrians received reinforcements and attacked on 4 July 1799. By the end of the month, the French agreed to surrender.
Therefore, this billon coin was struck during the very short period of July 1799 (AN VII). This shows exceptional execution and preservation, these were also cast in 2 & 5 Soldo denominations. Obverse has a fasces topped with a Liberty Cap; legend is: ASSEDIO. D.-I. MANTOVA. Reverse legend is UN SOLDO DI MILAN.