Item number: A1417

Year: AD 1823-1867

Material: Silver

Size: 28.8 x 28.5 x 0.9 mm

Weight: 7.28 g

Manufactured by: Mint of Paris

Provenance: CGB Numismatics Paris 2024

This is a token likely produced by the Paris Mint after AD 1723.

The obverse features a profile portrait of Louis XV facing right, adorned with a laurel wreath tied with a ribbon. Below the portrait is the cursive inscription “fm,” possibly an abbreviation of the engraver’s name. Surrounding the portrait is the Latin abbreviation “LUD. XV. REX CHRISTIANISS.,” signifying the title of the then French monarch, “Most Christian King Louis XV.”

The reverse displays a coin press at its centre, with ropes wound around the lever and counterweight. Adjacent to the press is a basket filled with coins. Encircling the scene is the Latin phrase “ET LEGE ET PONDERE,” meaning “By law and by weight,” underscoring the mint’s commitment to fairness and precision. Below this image, the inscription “MONNOYE 1723” indicates that the token was produced by a mint established in the year AD 1723. This design subsequently appeared on other tokens bearing the notation “MONNOYE 1767.”

Many tokens with the “MONNOYE 1723” inscription exist, especially those featuring Louis XV. These range from depictions of the young king at the age of 13, when he first assumed personal rule, to portraits from his later years as an adult. Therefore, AD 1723 does not necessarily mark the year this particular token was issued.

After assuming personal rule, Louis XV progressively centralised the authority to issue currency. He also initiated reforms to address the chaotic monetary system left in the wake of former finance minister John Law’s failed paper money policies, further elevating the importance of the Paris Mint. The former finance minister John Law, a Scottish economist, was appointed by the regent following the death of Louis XIV to devise policies aimed at alleviating the trade deficit. However, due to mismanagement in the consolidation of overseas trade, he was the architect of the infamous “Mississippi Bubble” collapse. This resulted in rampant inflation, financial instability, and ultimately his own disgrace and downfall.

物件編號: A1417

年代: 公元1823-1867年

材質: 銀

尺寸: 28.8 x 28.5 x 0.9 mm

重量: 7.28 g

製造地: 巴黎鑄幣廠

來源: 巴黎錢幣收藏 2024

這是一枚可能於公元1723年後，由巴黎鑄幣廠出品的代幣。

代幣的正面為路易十五的側身像，朝向右方，頭戴月桂冠，並以緞帶繫結。下方有「fm」的草書署名，可能為雕刻師姓名的縮寫。周圍環繞著拉丁文簡寫「LUD. XV. REX CHRISTIANISS.」，為時任法蘭西君主的稱謂「基督教的國王路易十五」。

代幣的背面中央為壓幣機。懸臂與配重輪上纏繞著繩索，一旁有裝滿錢幣的籃子。周圍環繞著拉丁短語「ET LEGE ET PONDERE」，意即「依據法律，依據重量」，強調鑄幣單位對於公平與精準的堅持。下方「MONNOYE 1723」表示由公元1723年設立的鑄幣廠所出品。該圖案設計其後也出現於發行註記為「MONNOYE 1767」的其他代幣上。

以「MONNOYE 1723」為發行註記的有許多，其中以路易十五為主題的貨幣與代幣所在多有，從公元1723年，時年13歲的路易十五甫親政的幼齡頭像，一直到青壯年的頭像。是故，公元1723年不一定為該代幣的發行年分。

路易十五親政後，逐漸將貨幣發行權收歸中央，並著手整理前財政大臣約翰·羅失敗的紙幣政策下混亂的貨幣體系，巴黎鑄幣廠愈顯重要。前財政大臣約翰·羅是蘇格蘭經濟學家，路易十四逝後由攝政授命任財政大臣，以制定緩解貿易逆差的政策，但因海外貿易整併的操作不當，一手炮製了著名的「密西西比泡沫」的破裂，通貨膨脹，金融失控，本人也身敗名裂。