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http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/Articles/French_Revolution_Masonic_Symbolism.htm
Masonic Emblems on Coins and Medallions during the French Revolution
April 24th, 2012
by Terry Melanson
Main sources: Otto Karmin, �L�Influence du Symbolisme Ma�onnique sur le Symbolisme R�volutionnaire,� Revue historique de la R�volution fran�ais, (avril-juin 1910); Hennin (Michel), Histoire numismatique de la R�volution Fran�aise, Paris, 1826.
�What was the influence of Freemasonry on the French Revolution? The clerical world has always maintained that the latter was the result of a conspiracy of the lodges; the Masonic world has always fought against this thesis. For political reasons, some Masonic authors have denied any, or mostly any, influence their society may have had on revolutionary events, [while] others � concerned with historical truth � have shown the important role played by the lodges, and particularly by their members, on the progress of the Revolution. [�] To symbolize its principles and ideals, the Revolution drew upon two sources: the symbols and trappings of classical antiquity, and the rituals of Freemasonry. In the first category belong the goddesses of Liberty, Hercules, the Phrygian caps, fasces, clubs, vanquished hydras, etc.; the second borrowed the square, compass, level, trowel, the triangle with and without a radiant eye, the sun, moon, intertwined hands, knotted tassels, the mirror, the pelican, the eagle bearing its young, the beehive, circumference, etc.� (Karmin, pp. 3, 10)
1789
N 15. Radiant Triangle
N 39. Election of Jean-Silvain Bailly (a Freemason) as Mayor of Paris; Goddess Liberty and Phrygian cap, fasces, compass, scroll, etc.
N 42. Estates General; Otto: �Henning did not notice the Masonic inspiration of this piece; in fact you not only see the square and compass but the [Masonic �Jachin and Boaz�] �two column� [motif] surmounted by the sun and moon. It is true that the latter is very skillfully represented by a bishop's miter, placed somewhat obliquely.� (p. 11)
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Further Reading:
Craftyness - Obelisks, Statutes & Plots: The 'Master' Planned Community
