Colonial Acres Coins
SKU: SKU:July.Week3.P1-KB2012
1790 French Revolution Confederation des Francois Medal
1790 French Revolution Confederation des Francois Medal
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1790 French Revolution Confédération des François Medal
July of 1790 marked the Fête de la Fédération, a massive holiday held in honour of the first anniversary of the start of the French Revolution. In 1790, people were optimistic, believing that the chaos of the Revolution was behind them and that France had emerged as a new constitutional monarchy. Of course, this would prove, with hindsight, to be a rather quaint outlook -- but, for now, the new National Assembly and King Louis XVI were led in a solemn oath to maintain the new Constitution by multi-revolutionary leader Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. A festival followed, which involved much singing, dancing, and drinking.
There are several versions of this medal, which commemorates the Fête. This one features three female figures representing Felicity, Freedom, and France gathered around a pillar labelled PATRIE ("Fatherland"). To the left, Felicity holds a caduceus, symbolizing peace, with a cornucopia at her feet. In the centre, Freedom leans forward, holding a flag and showing the new French Constitution to France, who stands at the right. France is leading on a fasces, a bundle of rods with an axe blade that symbolizes state authority. This beautiful engraving was completed by master engraver Nicolas-Marie Gatteaux. The reverse side reads simply, "Confédération des François." François is an antiquated spelling of Français, and the term refers to the Fête de la Fédération.
July of 1790 marked the Fête de la Fédération, a massive holiday held in honour of the first anniversary of the start of the French Revolution. In 1790, people were optimistic, believing that the chaos of the Revolution was behind them and that France had emerged as a new constitutional monarchy. Of course, this would prove, with hindsight, to be a rather quaint outlook -- but, for now, the new National Assembly and King Louis XVI were led in a solemn oath to maintain the new Constitution by multi-revolutionary leader Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. A festival followed, which involved much singing, dancing, and drinking.
There are several versions of this medal, which commemorates the Fête. This one features three female figures representing Felicity, Freedom, and France gathered around a pillar labelled PATRIE ("Fatherland"). To the left, Felicity holds a caduceus, symbolizing peace, with a cornucopia at her feet. In the centre, Freedom leans forward, holding a flag and showing the new French Constitution to France, who stands at the right. France is leading on a fasces, a bundle of rods with an axe blade that symbolizes state authority. This beautiful engraving was completed by master engraver Nicolas-Marie Gatteaux. The reverse side reads simply, "Confédération des François." François is an antiquated spelling of Français, and the term refers to the Fête de la Fédération.
