Louis-Philippe, 1830-A

KM 746.1; Friedberg 553, PCGS graded MS-66

Although Charles X was driven out, France was not yet ready for a new republic. Instead, Louis-Philippe, the liberal-leaning Duke of Orleans, was proclaimed King of the French (a conscious break with the title “King of France” used under the Ancien Régime and the restored Bourbons) by the Chamber of Deputies. His accession brought an end to the July Revolution and ushered in the period known as the July Monarchy. Louis-Philippe sought to give the impression of an unpretentious citizen-monarch broadly supported by the bourgeoisie. However, the increasingly conservative character of his government and deteriorating economic conditions led to calls for reform, often expressed at political banquets. When such banquets were outlawed February 22, 1848, the Parisians began a general strike against the government. The mass demonstration developed into the Revolution of 1848 after soldiers guarding the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs accidentally killed 52 demonstrators. Enraged at this development, the Parisian mob barricaded the streets, set fires, and began to march on the royal palace. Fearing for his life, Louis-Philippe abdicated in favor of his nine-year-old grandson and fled to England.

Raised edge. Paris. Head of Louis-Philippe left. Reverse: Denomination and date within wreath.

Purchased privately from Goldberg, 5 January 2007