Description
France, Republic (1792-1795), Convention Pattern 2 Sols, 1792, Soho mint, 16.12g, (Maz-332).
Extremely fine.
Monneron Brothers issued these tokens with dies created by Dupré. Hercules obverse appeared on two varieties of two sols pieces commemorating the deposition of Louis XVI and the birth of the first French Republic (which introduced yet another new calendar) on 21st and 22nd September 1792. On the obverse, common to both varieties, the Hercules figure has been subtly altered and, instead of bending a fasces over his knee, he is breaking a royal sceptre. A broken royal crown can be seen at his feet and an owl (the symbol of Minerva, the goddess of wisdom) stands on a pedestal behind him. The legend reads “LA SAGESSE GUIDE SA FORCE” – wisdom guides his strength; and the inscription in the exergue reads “LA FIN DU DESPOTISME” – the end of despotism.
