Page 54 - Delcampe Collections classiques EN-006

Coins

Coinage in the effigy

of Louis XVIII

King Louis XVIII of France lived a most particular life, and the coins related to him are also
most interesting. I thus wanted to tell you about it.

Louis XVIII was born on 17 November 1755, Despite an attempt at discussions with
receiving the title Count of Provence. He was Napoleon after the coup d’état of 18
a brother of Louis XVI, as was Charles X. In Brumaire, the king remained in exile un-
1771, he married Marie-Joséphine of Savoy, til Napoleon’s defeat in 1814. He owed his
but would also have favourites. However, he accession to power to Talleyrand, following
did not have any children. the Congress of Vienna. Consequently,
During the French Revolution, like his brother he returned as Louis XVIII, reigning King
Louis XVI, he left Paris. Fortunately for him, of France on 24 April 1814. However, his
Louis XVIII’s luck held out. He went willingly comeback would be short-lived. In fact,
into exile in the Austrian Netherlands. in March the following year, Napoleon re-
After Louis XVI was executed in 1793, gained power and Louis XVIII left France for
Louis XVIII declared himself regent to the Belgium. His exile lasted only 100 days, be-
young Louis XVII, who died two years later. cause after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo
He then became the legitimate heir to the on 18 June 1815, Louis XVIII once again as-
French crown... However, France was not cended the French throne.
willing for the king to return at that time. His reign would be a conciliatory one. He

54 Delcampe Magazine