LUCIEN BAZOR (1889-1974) Letter opener, 1928. Patinated bronze. Signed and dated. Measurements: 0,5 x 25 x 4 cm. Lucien Goroges Bazor was Head of Engraving at the Paris Mint from 1930 to 1958. He was born in Paris in 1889 and initially studied with his father, Albert Bazor, who later became a student of Patey at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. In 1923 he won the Grand Prix de Rome for his etchings. Bazor is best known for his design of the 1933 5 franc piece, known then as "Bedoucette" (after the name of the Minister of Finance at the time), and now as "Bazor". This small copper and nickel coin was rejected by the French public as too far removed from the previous large silver pieces.

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