Coin France 1 Franc Henri V - 1831 - Silver

Henri V, also known as Henri d?Artois (1820-1883), is a key figure in French monarchical history during the 19th century. Here is an overview of his life and role:

Origins and Early Life

• Full Name: Henri Charles Ferdinand Marie Dieudonné d?Artois.
• Birth: September 29, 1820, in Paris.
• Family: He was the grandson of King Charles X and the son of the Duke of Berry, who was assassinated in 1820, a few months before Henri?s birth. His mother was Marie-Caroline of Bourbon-Sicily.
• Title: At birth, he was titled Duke of Bordeaux. After the abdication of Charles X in 1830, he became Henri V for the legitimists.

The Legitimist Pretender

• Abdication of Charles X: In 1830, after the July Revolution, Charles X abdicated in favor of his grandson Henri V, who was only 10 years old at the time. However, Louis-Philippe d?Orléans was proclaimed King of the French, ending the Bourbon dynasty.
• Exile: Following the Revolution of 1830, Henri V and his family went into exile in Scotland and later in Austria. He spent most of his life in Frohsdorf, near Vienna.

The Symbol of the Legitimist Monarchy

• Legitimists: Henri V?s supporters, known as legitimists, considered him the rightful King of France, despite the July Monarchy (1830-1848) and subsequent republican or imperial regimes.
• Henri V?s White Flag: He is famous for advocating the white flag, a symbol of the monarchy, over the tricolor flag. This decision alienated some of his supporters, as the tricolor flag had become a national symbol.

Attempts at Restoration

• 1871: After the fall of the Second Empire, a serious attempt to restore the legitimate monarchy was considered. However, Henri V refused to compromise on the white flag, which ended this opportunity.
• Political Marginalization: His inflexibility politically isolated him, even among his supporters.

Death and Legacy

• Death: Henri V died without issue on August 24, 1883, in Frohsdorf.
• Succession: After his death, the legitimist claim passed to the cadet branch of the Bourbons, the Dukes of Anjou, who are today represented by the descendants of Alfonso XIII of Spain.

900 Silver
Ø 23.00mm, Weight 5.00g
Gad 451, XF
Henri V
France