103088 | FRANCE. 45 Centimes Tax/Louis-Napoléon white metal Medal.

103088  |  FRANCE. 45 Centimes Tax/Louis-Napoléon white metal Medal. Issued 1848/9 critiquing the events of 1848 (43mm, 24.33 g, 12h).

 

LA  REPUBLIQUE DE 1848 / ASSASSINÉE PAR LES FONDATEURS DES 45 CENTIMES (the Republic of 1848 slain by its very creators through the 45 centimes tax...), head of Marinanne left wearing reinforced wreath // ET LE / RAPPEL / DE LA FAMILLE / BONAPARTE (...and by the return of the Bonaparte family) in four lines; phrygian cap below; all within ornate scrolled border. Edge: Slightly beveled as made.

 

Carnavale Museum Coll. ND9159. Mint State. Lightly toned and highly lustrous. Fairly scarce, especially in this elevated state of preservation.

 

1848 served as a pivotal year in Europe, with many revolutions leading to turmoil between numerous monarchies and their disgruntled subjects. France led the way, with the events of the February Revolution leading to the overthrow of King Louis-Philippe. What followed was a republic (France's second) that was fraught with infighting among disparate factions and ideas. Just months in, it became even less popular among the nation's poorest upon the adoption of the 45 centimes tax—a new land tax imposed in order to help fill the coffers of an empty treasury. Between unfavorable economic conditions and a populace with imperialist, strong man sympathies, Louis-Napoléon (nephew of the exiled and now-deceased Napoléon Bonaparte) sailed to a shocking victory to become president, winning 75% of the vote. With no prior experience in public office and a plan to clean out the old order, he easily charmed a cross section of the electorate, especially among the poorest and least educated. Just three years later, facing term limits which would have restricted him from serving as president for more than one term, he carried out a successful coup whereby he installed himself as the new Emperor of the French (as Napoléon III). It would take nearly two decades for this drift into imperialism to bring his eventual downfall during the disastrous Franco-Prussian War and France's return to republican ideals. If any of this sounds familiar, it's because it's playing out right now. History is the best teacher, but only for those who are willing to study it and learn from it. As such, we are left to await our own modern day Sedan.

 

Upload: 5 May 2025.