Advanced Search
Requires Photography
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Benjamin Duvivier (French, 1730–1819)
French
1781
Mint: Paris, France
Medium/Technique
Metal; silver
Dimensions
Diameter, depth, and weight: 61 x 4 mm (2 3/8 x 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of the Estate of John B. How
Accession Number17.3177
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismatics – Medals
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·REG" and under bust of Louis "B. DU VIVIER F".
Reverse: A dolphin at center supporting a rudder decorated with fleur-de-lis and a fleet in the background; inscribed above "ASSERENDI NOVA SPES COMMERCII" and in exergue "REGI DE ORTU S·S·DELPHANI/SEX MAERCATOR·PARIS·ORDINES/GRATULANTUR/AUSP DUCIS DE COSSE/URBIS GUB·DIE IV·NOV/MDCCLXXXI".
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·REG" and under bust of Louis "B. DU VIVIER F".
Reverse: A dolphin at center supporting a rudder decorated with fleur-de-lis and a fleet in the background; inscribed above "ASSERENDI NOVA SPES COMMERCII" and in exergue "REGI DE ORTU S·S·DELPHANI/SEX MAERCATOR·PARIS·ORDINES/GRATULANTUR/AUSP DUCIS DE COSSE/URBIS GUB·DIE IV·NOV/MDCCLXXXI".
InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed at edge "LUD·XVI·FR·ET NAV·REX*MAR·ANT·AUSTR·REG" and under bust of Louis "B. DU VIVIER F".
Reverse: Inscribed above "ASSERENDI NOVA SPES COMMERCII" and in exergue "REGI DE ORTU S·S·DELPHANI/SEX MAERCATOR·PARIS·ORDINES/GRATULANTUR/AUSP DUCIS DE COSSE/URBIS GUB·DIE IV·NOV/MDCCLXXXI".
Reverse: Inscribed above "ASSERENDI NOVA SPES COMMERCII" and in exergue "REGI DE ORTU S·S·DELPHANI/SEX MAERCATOR·PARIS·ORDINES/GRATULANTUR/AUSP DUCIS DE COSSE/URBIS GUB·DIE IV·NOV/MDCCLXXXI".
ProvenanceBy 1917, John B. How; 1917, gift of the Estate of John B. How to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 17, 1917)