Live Free or Die - July 14, 1790 by JAA USA/Philippines Collection

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The French National Day (La Fête Nationale) or Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14th. This 1792 Five Sols tradesman token depicts the Storming of the Bastille and the establishment of the short-lived constitutional monarchy in France.

 

The lettering on the obverse reads: Vivre Libres Ou Mourir -- 14 Juillet 1790 (Live Free or Die -- July 14, 1790)

 

The obverse depicts a seated liberty wearing a helmet, a shield with three fleur-de-lis at her side, holding a scroll representing the rule of law. To her right columns of soldiers of the French Revolution are saluting her.

 

An interesting fact is that the date on the obverse of the coin is 1790 not 1789 (the date that the Bastille was stormed). That may indicate that the coin commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution,

 

The reverse reads: Medaille De Confiance De Cinq Sols Remboursable En Assignats De 50. Au Dessus (Medal of Confidence of Five Sols Refundable in Assets of 50. And Above);

L'an IV De La Liberte (The year 4 of Liberty) 1792

Monneron Freres Negocians A Paris (Monneron Brothers ? Paris)

 

During the French Revolution there was often a shortage of minor coins so it was not unusual for merchants to issue private tokens which circulated as money in the locality where they were issued. This Bronze, dollar size, tradesman token was issued by Monneron Brothers, Paris.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storming_of_the_Bastille

The storming of the Bastille occurred in Paris, France on the morning of 14 July 1789. The medieval fortress and prison in Paris known as the Bastille represented royal authority in the centre of Paris. Its fall was the flashpoint of the French Revolution.

 

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[nunfa0]

Very cool piece and history!!