103250 | FRANCE. National Convention bell metal Medal.

103250  |  FRANCE. National Convention bell metal Medal. Issued 1792/Year 1 of the Republic (41mm, 41.10 g, 12h). By André Galle in Lyon.

 

LIBERTE FRANÇOISE / L'AN I DE LA R F, head of Liberty left, with hair flowing freely and with pole surmounted by Phrygian cap over far shoulder // A LA / CONVENTION / NATIONALE / PAR LES / ARTISTES REUNIS / DE LYON / PUR METAL / DE CLOCHE / FRAPPE EN / MDCCXCII in ten lines; all within garlanded oak wreath. Edge: Plain.

 

Mazard 318a; Guilloteau 338; Bramsen 190b. Choice Mint State. Dark olive-brown surfaces, with some alluring brilliance; a minor reverse planchet chip near the rim is noted for completeness, but is rather easily overlooked given the exceptional quality of preservation and the overall superior nature of the planchet. On account of the composition (melted down bells), the level of craftsmanship of surviving examples tends to be on the poorer side. A popular and attractive type that clearly drew great inspiration from the Libertas Americana medal issued a decade prior, and paralleled the contemporary American coinage during the mint's initial outputs of "flowing hair" designs.

 

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Upload: 14 July 2025.