1783 France 1 Sol Aix-en-Provence Mint Louis XVI Copper Coin VF

This 1783 France 1 Sol Copper Coin was struck at the Aix-en-Provence Mint (mintmark &) during the reign of Louis XVI, the last King of France before the Revolution. Designed by renowned engraver Pierre-Benjamin Duvivier, this coin is an important artifact of late 18th-century France, just years before the monarchy’s fall.

The coin weighs 12.18 g, measures 29 mm in diameter, and is struck in copper. The obverse depicts the left-facing bust of Louis XVI, his hair tied with a ribbon, surrounded by the Latin legend LUDOV · XVI · D · GRATIA (Louis XVI, by the Grace of God). Beneath the portrait lies the mintmark “&,” denoting the Aix-en-Provence Mint.

On the reverse, the crowned shield of France is prominently displayed, with the date 1783 divided across either side of the crown. Around the shield is the inscription FRANCIÆ ET NAVARRÆ REX 1783 (King of France and Navarre 1783).

Graded VF (Very Fine), this example shows moderate circulation wear but retains strong details of the king’s portrait, crown, and heraldic arms. Its historical value lies not only in its numismatic appeal but also in its connection to the turbulent final years of the French monarchy.

The 1 Sol was a practical small-denomination coin, widely used in everyday commerce. Today, surviving specimens from provincial mints like Aix-en-Provence are highly collectible, especially when bearing the work of master engravers like Duvivier.

For collectors of French numismatics, pre-revolutionary coinage, or 18th-century European history, this coin represents an outstanding addition—combining artistry, historical context, and rarity.