SWITZERLAND - LUCERNE - Lot 384

SWITZERLAND - LUCERNE Switzerland seated on the left, surrounded by 23 stars. In the exergue, 1988. R/. Dying lion of Lucerne. Above, LUZERN and in the exergue, 5 UNZEN. Striated edge. 5 ounce silver medal (999°/°°) 1988 (156.18 g) Browned blank. FDC. Only 1500 were struck. The monument was built and sculpted in memory of the Swiss Guard, who were massacred by the revolutionary mob during the Prise des Tuileries on August 10, 1792. At the request of the King, the Guards finally surrendered to avoid a bloodbath !!!!! Since the early 17th century, a Swiss Guards regiment of mercenaries has served in France as part of the King's household. On October 6, 1789, King Louis XVI and his family were forced to move from the Château de Versailles to the Tuileries Palace in Paris. In June 1791, he attempted to escape to Montmédy. On August 10, 1792, revolutionaries stormed the palace, defended by the entire Swiss Guard, with the exception of a 300-strong detachment sent to Normandy a few days earlier. A note in the king's hand, which has since been found, orders them to withdraw and return to their barracks. In fact, by ordering them to surrender their weapons in the midst of battle, Louis XVI sacrificed the Swiss.