| Description de l’avers |
A female figure - allegory of the Cisalpine Republic - pays tribute to the seated France. At the foot of the Cisalpine Republic, on the right a stork (symbol of devotion) and to the left, a cornucopia (symbol of abundance). On the base of the throne of France the name of the author in incuse. |
| Écriture de l’avers |
Latin |
| Légende de l’avers |
ALLA NAZ·FRAN·LA REP·CISAL·RICONOSCENTE |
| Description du revers |
Value and date in four lines, between two branches of oak |
| Écriture du revers |
Latin |
| Légende du revers |
SCUDO DI LIRE SEI 27·PRATILE ANNO VIII |
| Tranche |
Smooth, with the motto in relief |
| Atelier |
|
| Tirage |
8 (1800) - - 150 000
|
| ID Numisquare |
6952909500 |
Historical Context: The 1800 1 Scudo, 6 Lire coin was issued by the Cisalpine Republic, a French client state established by Napoleon Bonaparte in northern Italy. This period marked the reassertion of French influence following Napoleon's decisive victory at Marengo earlier that year, which solidified the republic's precarious existence after a brief Austrian resurgence. The coin's issuance reflects the new republican monetary system, replacing the diverse currencies of the former duchies and states, symbolizing the revolutionary political and economic restructuring imposed by France in the region.
Artistry: While the specific engraver responsible for this coinage remains largely unrecorded, the 1 Scudo exemplifies the Neoclassical stylistic trends prevalent during the Napoleonic era. Its design typically features allegorical representations of Liberty or the Republic, often accompanied by symbols such as fasces or cornucopias, reflecting the ideals of the French Revolution. The aesthetic would be characterized by a more restrained and classical approach, a departure from the ornate styles of the Ancien Régime, aiming for a dignified and authoritative republican iconography.
Technical/Grading: Struck in .896 fine silver, weighing 23.13 grams and measuring 39.35 millimeters, this substantial coin often exhibits strong central strikes. Key high points to assess for wear include the highest relief areas of allegorical figures, such as hair tresses, facial features, and drapery folds, as well as any prominent emblems. Due to its large flan, slight peripheral weakness or planchet imperfections can occasionally be observed. The precise weight and fineness are crucial indicators of its adherence to the established monetary standard of the nascent republic.