v22_0364 - CORSE - CORSE (ROYAUME DE) - THÉODORE DE NEUHOFF 5 sols (5 soldi)

CORSICA - CORSICA (KINDGOM OF) - THEODORE OF NEUHOFF

(1736)

Théodore, Baron de Neuhoff was born in Cologne on the night of August 24 to 25, 1694. In 1733, after the departure of German troops from Corsica, he entered into discussions with Corsican leaders in exile in Livorno and promised them his help. On March 20, 1736, he landed in Aléria and landed the armament intended to liberate the Corsicans from the Genoese. In return for his help, he asked the Corsican leaders to elect him king. On April 13 a consultation accepts him as king and drafts a Constitution and he is elected on April 15 in front of several thousand people gathered at the convent of Alisgiani who swear to respect the new constitution. At the beginning of May, he opened a monetary workshop in Ornetu de Tavagna. On May 30, the Mint was transferred to Tavagna where the first silver coins were minted. After many victories and some defeats, on December 22, 1736, the Genoese put a price on the head of Théodore for 2000 écus. He died on December 11, 1756. The Moor's head, emblem of Corsica, was in his coat of arms and was taken over by Pascal Paoli as a symbol of independent Corsica and adorns today on the official Corsican flag.