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Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette: Execution

French
1793
Mint: Paris, France

Medium/Technique Metal; probably silver
Dimensions Diameter and weight: 51 mm (2 in.)
Credit Line Bequest of J. B. How
Accession Number17.107
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismaticsMedals

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

Obverse: Two profile busts of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette looking to proper left; inscribed at edge "LUD·XVI D:G·FR·ET NAV·REX·MAR·ANT·AUSTR·REG." and "FATI INIQUI" and on shoulder of Louis XVI "[C or G]HK".

Reverse: Guillotine among large crowd of people with person holding up head; inscribed on banner above "CR[ ]MQUE ROTANTES SANQUINEUM POPULIS ULULARUNT TRISTIA GALLI." and in exergue "XXI JANUARIUS/ANNO MDCCSCIII".
InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed at edge "LUD·XVI D:G·FR·ET NAV·REX·MAR·ANT·AUSTR·REG." and "FATI INIQUI" and on shoulder of Louis XVI "[C or G]HK".

Reverse: Inscribed on banner above "CR[ ]MQUE ROTANTES SANQUINEUM POPULIS ULULARUNT TRISTIA GALLI." and in exergue "XXI JANUARIUS/ANNO MDCCSCIII".
ProvenanceBy 1917, J. B. How; 1917, bequest of J. B. How to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 18, 1917)