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Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette: Birth of Louis-Charles

Benjamin Duvivier (French, 1730–1819)
French
1785
Mint: Paris, France

Medium/Technique Metal; bronze
Dimensions Diameter and weight: 42 mm (1 5/8 in.)
Credit Line Bequest of J. B. How
Accession Number17.133
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismaticsMedals

DescriptionCircular medal of Louis XVI (1754-1793), king of France, and Marie Antoinette, commemorating the birth of Louis-Charles (1785), their second son.

Obverse: Two profile busts of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette looking to proper right; inscribed at edge "LUD·XVI·REX·CHRISTIANISS·MAR·ANT·AUSTR REGINA" and under busts "DUVIVIER".

Reverse: Seated female under a palm tree, writing on a tablet; inscribed at ege "NATALES LUDOVICI CAROLI DUCIS NEUSTRIAE", on tablet "VOTA/PUBLI", below "DUV", and in exergue "XXVII MARTII/MDCCLXXXV".
InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed at edge "LUD·XVI·REX·CHRISTIANISS·MAR·ANT·AUSTR REGINA" and under busts "DUVIVIER".

Reverse: Inscribed at ege "NATALES LUDOVICI CAROLI DUCIS NEUSTRIAE", on tablet "VOTA/PUBLI", below "DUV", and in exergue "XXVII MARTII/MDCCLXXXV".
ProvenanceBy 1917, J. B. How; 1917, bequest of J. B. How to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 18, 1917)