Page 55 - Delcampe Collections classiques EN-006

Coins

avoided excess and empowered parliament.
He did not disadvantage Napoleon’s former
supporters in order to avoid a new revolu-
tion. However, he arrived on the throne at
an advanced age, and his health failed him.
He suffered from diabetes, gout and sundry
other infections including gangrene.
King Louis XVIII died on 16 September 1824
in the Tuileries Palace, Paris, after just a
ten-year reign. He was succeeded by his
brother, Charles X.

A short reign in numismatics
Given that Louis XVIII’s reign was quite
short, there are not many different coins
that were minted in his effigy during his time
on the throne. However, they were minted
in vast quantities (120 million 5-franc coins
and 18 million 20-franc coins). In 1814, en-
graver Pierre Joseph Tiolier created the first
coin bearing the effigy of the sovereign, a
20-franc gold coin “with dressed bust” with
Louis XVIII, King of France, on the obverse.
On the reverse, there is a lily representing the
crown and the cockerel as well as the 20F
coin inscription, the year 1814, and the letter
A for the Paris Atelier or workshop.
This coin was suspended for 100 days, but
became valid once again upon Louis XVIII’s
return.

On the left-hand page
The 100-day currency France 1814, 20-franc gold
During the 100-day period, Louis XVIII left coin featuring Louis XVIII “with
France. Napoleon obviously did not use dressed bust”.
the same currency. However, the French On this page
king was not forgotten. From 7 June to France 1814, 5-franc silver
coin featuring Louis XVIII “with
6 November 1815, coins bearing the effigy dressed bust”.
of Louis XVIII were minted in London, with France 1814, 5-franc silver coin
the letter “R” to tell them apart. These coins featuring Emperor Napoleon
were short-lived. They had to be returned to and a laurel wreath.

Delcampe Magazine 55