Birth of "the Miracle Child"

261, Lot: 493. Estimate $150. Sold for $130. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

FRANCE, Royal (Restored). Charles Ferdinand d'Artois, with Marie Caroline Ferdinande Louise de Bourbon. Duc et la Duchesee de Berry, 1778-1820 and 1816-1870. Æ Medal (68mm, 145.80 g, 12h). Commemorating the Birth of Henri, Comte de Chambord. By B. Andrieu. Dated 29 September 1820. Jugate busts of Charles and Marie; flower to left, veiled urn to right / Paris presenting infant Henri to France, seated left; prow behind; 29 SEPTEMBRE 1820 in exergue. Collignon 238. EF, attractive brown surfaces.

Ex Michael Hall Collection.

When Henri was born seven months after the murder of his father, the French monarchists heralded it as a miracle (even coining Henri "the miracle child"). Following the abdication of his grandfather Charles X and shortly later the Dauphin Louis Antoine, the young Henri was to succeed to the throne. Yet Louis-Philippe ignored this plan and, seven days later, was himself chosen by the National Assembly. The Comte left France in exile. In the following years, he maintained contact with his Legitimist supporters. Henri would come close to the throne again following the disaster at Sedan in 1870. However, this plan was stymied by the noble’s obstinate insistence that the nation abandon the Tricolour. Third Republic remained in power and Henri died in exile.