2 Sols

The 2 sols coin, introduced in 1792, was one of the first French denominations to adopt a decimal system, slicing the old livre into neat tenths. That shift aimed to simplify commerce amid revolutionary upheaval, but it often fell short in practice. Struck from copper at mints like Paris and Strasbourg, these coins bore simple designs: a radiate cap of liberty on one side and the year in Roman numerals on the other. Records show variations in edge lettering, some plain and others inscribed with "Garantie Nationale" to ward off counterfeits. Mintage figures for specific years remain murky, lost in the administrative chaos of the era. Not every survivor is in pristine condition; many show wear from heavy circulation.

Plenty of these turned up in hoards, a testament to their everyday use.

And if you think about it, calling a coin "sols" was a bit like naming a ship after the sea—functional, but not especially poetic.