Obverse. Photo © Heritage Auctions
  • 2 Francs 1849-1851, KM# 760, France
  • 2 Francs 1849-1851, KM# 760, France
Description

The French Second Republic was a short-lived republican government of France under President Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte. It lasted from the 1848 Revolution to the 1851 coup by which the president made himself Emperor Napoleon III and initiated the Second Empire.

Engraver: Eugène André Oudiné

Obverse

Depicts a laureate head of Ceres to the left, wearing a pearl necklace, a double bun and a composite crown of wheat, flowers, olive, oak and acorns, knotted with a ribbon descending on the neck and passing over the forehead where the word CONCOR is inscribed; under the slice of the neck engraver's name. Surrounded by the country name topped by a six-pointed star.

In ancient Roman religion, Ceres was a goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly relationships. She was originally the central deity in Rome's so-called plebeian or Aventine Triad, then was paired with her daughter Proserpina in what Romans described as "the Greek rites of Ceres". Her seven-day April festival of Cerealia included the popular Ludi Ceriales (Ceres' games). She was also honoured in the May lustratio of the fields at the Ambarvalia festival, at harvest-time, and during Roman marriages and funeral rites.

REPUBLIQUE * FRANÇAISE.
CONCOR
E.A.OUDINÉ.F.

Reverse

Denomination within oak wreath surrounded by the national motto of France (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity). The mintmark below is between privy marks of the Engraver General (Jacques-Jean Barre, 1843-1855, dog’s head) and Mint Director (Charles-Louis Dierickx, 1845-1860, hand).

Although it finds its origins in the French Revolution, it was then only one motto among others and was not institutionalized until the Third Republic at the end of the 19th century. Debates concerning the compatibility and order of the three terms began at the same time as the Revolution.

LIBERTE • EGALITE • FRATERNITE
2
FRANCS
1851
A

Edge

2 Francs

2nd Republic
KM# 760 Gadoury# 522
Characteristics
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 10 g
Diameter 27 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Alt # KM# 760.1, KM# 760.2, KM# 760.3
Mints
Bordeaux Mint (K)
Paris Mint (A)
Strasbourg Mint (BB)

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