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½ franc 1828 Lille

Started by Figleaf, February 14, 2023, 03:04:47 PM

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Figleaf

A beauty it is not, but its missing details are not vital and it plugs one of the last remaining holes in my timeline.

Remarkably, Charles X was the second of that name and reign title. The previous Charles X (1523-1590) was a catholic figurehead in the counter-reformation. Like his namesake, Charles was a dangerous failure. His aim was to set back the clock 3 decades to restore the power of the house of Bourbon to its level before the French revolution, in the face of the ruling liberal majority. In the words of Talleyrand: "The Bourbons have learned nothing and forgotten nothing." When Charles went as far as disbanding parliament in 1830, a revolution broke out, the king fled and abdicated. As his successor was a member of the Orléans dynasty, Charles X was the last Bourbon king of France.

The coin is strictly traditional in character. It does not show any sign of innovation.

Peter

Numista 21957.jpeg
An unidentified coin is a piece of metal. An identified coin is a piece of history.

Tirant

Even if it's not at its best condition, this demi franc has a dark-silver colour that makes it look very nice.

"The Bourbons have learned nothing and forgotten nothing."

A good way to explain what was going on with them back then. Times were changing, but some people would like to be stuck in the past. Too bad.

Figleaf

Agreed, Talleyrand was spot on. I think of it as an explicit variant of Einstein's Parable of Quantum Insanity: insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. It equates insanity with a total inability to learn from the past. It's a condition that occurs in large segments of humanity, but it is dangerously concentrated in politicians.

If you ever find yourself in Reims, (why not, it is the champagne capital), do visit the palace of Tau. It's an excellent museum, but it also shelters the mantle Charles X worn at his coronation. It is not modest and it reminded me of eBay: used only once. :D

Peter
An unidentified coin is a piece of metal. An identified coin is a piece of history.

Tirant

Thanks Peter, i'll follow your suggestion: if i ever go to Reims, i won't leave without a couple of good champagne bottles ;D (and of course i'll visit Tau!)