National Convention (1792-1795). Gold Louis d'or of 24 Livres, 1793-W (Lille). First Republic, Convention, 1792-1795. Winged genius (angel) right, inscribing "Constitution" on tablet supported on altar, fasces and Liberty Cap at left, rooster at right; REGNE DE LA LOI. Rev. Value and mintmark within oak wreath; around, REPUBLIQUE FRANÇOISE, L'AN II. Year 2 of the Revolution, during the so-called reign of the law (Fr 478; Gadoury 62; KM 626.5). In NGC holder graded MS 61, lovely original mint brilliance of this scarce one year type. Value $7,000 - UP
On February 5, 1793, ten days after the execution of Louis XVI, the National Assembly abolished the use of the royal portrait. This made necessary the redesigning of the coinage since the head of Louis XVI had continued to be struck on French coins from the establishment of the Constitution of 1791 until January 26, 1793-five days after the death of Louis XVI. Thereafter, the louis d'or ceased to be struck under this name and was replaced by a new gold 24-livres piece (the value of the louis d'or in terms of silver). On the new coins the obverse portrait of Louis XVI was replaced by the image of the Genius inscribing the constitution (now intended to represent the republican Constitution of 1793) that had previously appeared on the reverse of the louis d'or constitutionnelle ("constitutional gold Louis"). Surrounding this type, where the legend naming the king had previously appeared is now an inscription extolling the new sovereign in France: Law. Alas, this new ruler was destined to be deposed in fairly short order. In June 1793 the rule of Law was destined to be distorted into the Reign of Terror.