1081761 | FRANCE. Leon Gambetta. (Lawyer and republican politician, 1838-1882). (c.1870s) AR Pattern 5 Francs. NGC MS63. Edge: Plain. REPUBLIQUE * FRANCAISE. Bust, left; hallmarks of pyramid, clasped hands and rooster below / LES FRANCAIS UNIS SONT INATTAQUABLES. Genius standing inscribing CONSTITUTION on a tablet; denomination divided to either side all within laurel wreath; legend around and rooster below. KM Bruce X47.2; Mazard 2337; Gadoury 746; VG 3791; Taillard/Arnaud 130.1.


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Léon Gambetta was born in Cahors on April 2, 1838, the son of a merchant from Genoa and a mother from Gascony. In 1859 he took French citizenship and became a lawyer. In 1869 he won a seat in the National Assembly and, as a supporter of the republican minority, spoke out against the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. On September 4, together with Jules Favre, he proclaimed the "Third Republic" and became its first Minister of the Interior. Gambetta was able to leave Paris, which was besieged by German troops, in a balloon to assemble an army to relieve the capital. However, his plan failed. Although Paris had to capitulate on January 20, 1871, he vehemently advocated continuing the war, which is why he was also known as a fou furieux ("angry madman"). After the war, he advocated a policy of revanchism against the German Empire and his motto became "Always think of it, but never speak of it." He died of blood poisoning on December 31, 1882, after being wounded in the hand by a pistol shot - officially while repairing his pistol.