DUVIVIER, Benjamin: France, 1783, Bronze, 50 mm
Obv: Bust of Louis XVI LUDOVICO XVI. FR. ET NAVR. REGI OPTIMO
Exergue: COMITIA BURGUND.
Rev: The personification of Burgundy seated, in front of her a cornucopia and shield; in her raised right hand she holds a caduceus. Beside her are the river gods of the Rhine, Saône and Loire, accompanied by urns from which water flows. UTRIUSQUE MARIS JUNCTIO TRIPLEX
Exergue: FOSSIS AB ARARI AD LIGER. SEQUAN. RHENUM. SIMUL APERTIS MDCCLXXXIII (Excavation from the Saône to the Loire Connected the Seine and the Rhine (sic) [Rhône], 1783)
Signed: B. DUVIVIER F. / DUV
Ref: Forrer i, 686; Médailles françaises S. 282

For a brief biographical sketch of Louis XVI see the medal ‘CORONATION OF LOUIS XVI AT RHEIMS’.

The Central Canal (Canal du Centre, or Charolais Canal) links the river Loire (at Digoin) with the Saône (at Chalon-sur-Saône) in Burgundy, France. Construction was initiated in 1783 (the date of the medal) by Emiland Gauthey, who was Chief Engineer of Burgundy. The canal was opened in 1792 and made possible for the first time boat traffic from the north of France to the south.

The construction of such a canal was suggested during the 16th century, under King Francis I, and a detailed plan was prepared in the time of Henry II, but it wasn’t until the 18^th century that building was actually begun. The canal now is 112 km long and has 61 locks, reduced over the years from an original 80 locks.