Five décimes, 'the regeneration of France'

A large copper coin bearing Régénération française, the regeneration of France. It was struck as a trial under the National Convention in Year II of the Republic (1793–94); some 150,000 pieces left the Paris mint, but it circulated little. In 1796, on the Place Vendôme in Paris, the printing plates of the assignats were smashed in public, and paper money died as an institution. Paper died and metal alone remained. In that contrast stands this copper, left alive.