French Coinage
The French have the credit of making the greatest improvements in modern coinage. The French coins are a history of that nation, from the small coin issued in the reign of Louis “the Meek” to the last currency of the republic of France, spanning a period of one thousand years.
In design and execution the French coins bear the impress of the national character, and also give assurance of the art patronage in which her rulers, failing in much, have never wavered, but brought all their power and cunning to bear on securing the best artists, as in the instance of Francis I. beguiling from the holy father that exquisite artist Benvenuto Cellini, or the later enterprise of Napoleon Bonaparte. No. 83,—a medalet of the unhappy Mario Antoinette,—which is in itself very beautiful, and from its tragic association attracts general interest.