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Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette: Order of Saint Michael

French
1779
Mint: Paris, France

Medium/Technique Metal; silver
Dimensions Diameter and weight: 42 mm (1 5/8 in.)
Credit Line Bequest of J. B. How
Accession Number17.106
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismaticsMedals

DescriptionCircular medal of Louis XVI (1754-1793), king of France, and Marie Antoinette.

Obverse: Profile bust of Louis XVI at proper right looking at center and profile bust of Marie Antoinette at proper left looking at center; inscribed at edge "LUD·XVI·FR ET NAV·REX*MAR·ANT·AUSTR·REGIN·FRANC·" and under bust of Louis "B·DUVIVIER".

Revserse: Winged figure (Victory?) with sword and french marked shield stepping on fallend winged figure (demon?) and flames in background, circumscribed by border with shells; inscribed at edge "REGIUS ST MICHAELIS ORDO" and "M:DCC[emblem]XXIX".
InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed at edge "LUD·XVI·FR ET NAV·REX*MAR·ANT·AUSTR·REGIN·FRANC·" and under bust of Louis "B·DUVIVIER".

Reverse: Inscribed at edge "REGIUS ST MICHAELIS ORDO" and "M:DCC[emblem]XXIX".
ProvenanceBy 1917, J. B. How; 1917, bequest of J. B. How to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 18, 1917)