Lora writes: I think I have a french 2s coin. Description: on one side there is a bust of Louis XVI, around the coin is DESFRANCOIS.W.1792*LOUIS XVI ROI. On the reverse side, there is what looks like a candle with a night cap? on it on either side of the candle there is a 2 on the left and a S on the right of it. Around the whole thing is a oak wreath, around it is LA NATION LA LOI LE ROI. L’AN 4 DE LA LIBERTE and this little mark that looks like a fancy v or maybe n? Just wondering about it’s story because of the date and beheading around that time, and if there is any worth to to coin?
You have a 1792 France, Bronze 2 Sols. The coin shows a bust of King Louis XVI facing left, the date is below. To the left of the date is the privy mark of the assayer and to the right the mint mark (there are 18 mints that made this coin) . The legend around is LOUIS XVI ROI DES FRANCOIS (Louis the sixteenth King of the French).
The reverse show the Roman fasces (which consists of an executioners axe bound to a bundle of rods or sticks) at center, at the top of the fasces are a Liberty cap. This central design is surrounded by a wreath. The legend around is LA NATION LA LOI LE ROI L’AN 4 DE LA LIBERTE (The Nation, The Law, The King, The 4th Year of Liberty). Fasces represented the Roman death, as in execution. The symbolism represents something like “Liberty or death”. Similar Roman faces also appear on the reverse of the United States’ Winged Liberty dime (1916 – 1945).
These coins often have counterstamps. The counterstamps are most likely validation that the coin was genuine and official. Lots of counterfeiting and other problems existed in this turbulent era.
Value depends on the grade (condition) of the coin and the mint mark. Depending on these factors, the approximate value range is US$1 – $300.
