Bulgari

Cf.: Amanda Triossi, Bulgari – 125 years of Italian Magnificence, Grand Palais, Paris, 2010, pg. 184 - 185, for an illustration of this jewel and the history of the coin.

Bulgari - 125 years of Italian Magnificence, Grand Palais, Paris, 2010, where this jewel was exhibited, item 359, pg. 184 - 185 and 354 in the catalogue.

This copper coin is a necessity coin issued by the private merchant bank Frères Monneron during the turmoil of the French Revolution. Due to a shortage of coins minted officially by the French government, private banks began issuing ersatz currency. The quality and artistic merit of necessity coins were far superior to the poor examples produced in France at the time. A law of 3 May 1792 forbade the private production of money, however, necessity coins remained in circulation until at least 1793.

Monneron worked with the Birmingham-based supplier Boulton for the production of its coins. Boulton could produce a large quantity of two and five sols coins thanks to the introduction of machinery powered by the steam engine. The bank Monneron Frères ceased activity in 1792, shortly after the production of this coin.