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Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette: Birth of the Dauphin
Benjamin Duvivier (French, 1730–1819)
French
1782
Mint: France
Medium/Technique
Metal; bronze
Dimensions
Diameter, depth, and weight: 73 x 6 mm (2 7/8 x 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of the Estate of John B. How
Accession Number17.3176
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismatics – Medals
DescriptionCircular medal of Louis XVI (1754-1793), king of France and Marie Antoinette, commemorating the birth of the dauphin, Louis-Joseph-Xavier-François.
Obverse: Two overlapping busts looking to proper left; inscribed at edge "LUDOV XVI ET MAR.ANT.AUSTR.FR.ET NAV.REGI ET.REGINAE", under bust "B. DU/VIVIER", and in exergue "LUTETIA".
Reverse: Standing king and queen at center flanked by a kneeling female at each side with gifts; inscribed at edge "SOLEMNIA DELPH.INI NATALITIA" and in exergue "REGE ET REGINA URBES/INVESENTIBUS XXI JAN/MDCCLXXXII".
Obverse: Two overlapping busts looking to proper left; inscribed at edge "LUDOV XVI ET MAR.ANT.AUSTR.FR.ET NAV.REGI ET.REGINAE", under bust "B. DU/VIVIER", and in exergue "LUTETIA".
Reverse: Standing king and queen at center flanked by a kneeling female at each side with gifts; inscribed at edge "SOLEMNIA DELPH.INI NATALITIA" and in exergue "REGE ET REGINA URBES/INVESENTIBUS XXI JAN/MDCCLXXXII".
InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed at edge "LUDOV XVI ET MAR.ANT.AUSTR.FR.ET NAV.REGI ET.REGINAE", under bust "B. DU/VIVIER", and in exergue "LUTETIA".
Reverse: Inscribed at edge "SOLEMNIA DELPH.INI NATALITIA" and in exergue "REGE ET REGINA URBES/INVESENTIBUS XXI JAN/MDCCLXXXII".
Reverse: Inscribed at edge "SOLEMNIA DELPH.INI NATALITIA" and in exergue "REGE ET REGINA URBES/INVESENTIBUS XXI JAN/MDCCLXXXII".
ProvenanceBy 1917, John B. How; 1917, gift of the Estate of John B. How to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 17, 1917)