Return of Jacques Necker, 1789, a copper medal by B. Duvivier, 41mm (Hennin 44; Julius 36; BDM I, 687); Pacte Federatif d’Orléans, 1790, a copper medal by Gros, 34mm (H. 127; J. 103; BDM VII, 398). [2]. Very fine, second rare and with clip and ring for suspension, but lightly scuffed in fields (£70-90)

Jacques Necker (1732-1804), a wealthy Swiss Protestant banker in Paris, was the French Finance Minister from 1776-81 and 1788-90; his stringent economizing and knack of borrowing massively outside court circles financed France’s participation in the American Revolution. Necker was dimissed from office in disgrace twice, the second time precipitating the Parisian disorders that led to the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. The medal commemorates his return to office for the third time, immediately after that event.

In 1790 the province of Orléans was divided into the départements of Loiret, Loir-et-Cher, Eure-et-Loire, and parts of Essone and Saarthe