Red-Coat
Gold Member
Anyone seen one of these before?
It seems to be styled on the Louis XV (Ludwig XV) French jetons relating to the Commissaires-Controleurs des Bois à Bâtir (Royal Lumber Controllers). The date has been punched through so it can be used as a pendant and – although the last digit looks like a ‘1’ in the picture - it is actually a ‘2’, which would be correct for the 1732 date seen on these pieces.
Obverse: Bust of Louis XV and legend LUD • XV • REX CHRISTIANISS (Ludwig XV Most Christian of Kings)
Reverse: Minerva seated, holding ruler and legend SENSU JUSTITIA REDDITUR OMNI with COMMISS •.CONTROL •. DES BOIS A BATIR 1732
Some sources describe them as ‘tokens’, but ‘jeton’ appears to be correct. They’re described as ‘silver’ but without specifying the fineness. French silver coins of the period would be .917 I think, but this seems to be of lesser quality if it’s a silver alloy at all. It was also once gilded, but I guess that may have been done for the purpose of using it as a pendant.
Later restrike from the original dies or relatively modern copy? First one I’ve seen in either case.
It seems to be styled on the Louis XV (Ludwig XV) French jetons relating to the Commissaires-Controleurs des Bois à Bâtir (Royal Lumber Controllers). The date has been punched through so it can be used as a pendant and – although the last digit looks like a ‘1’ in the picture - it is actually a ‘2’, which would be correct for the 1732 date seen on these pieces.
Obverse: Bust of Louis XV and legend LUD • XV • REX CHRISTIANISS (Ludwig XV Most Christian of Kings)
Reverse: Minerva seated, holding ruler and legend SENSU JUSTITIA REDDITUR OMNI with COMMISS •.CONTROL •. DES BOIS A BATIR 1732
Some sources describe them as ‘tokens’, but ‘jeton’ appears to be correct. They’re described as ‘silver’ but without specifying the fineness. French silver coins of the period would be .917 I think, but this seems to be of lesser quality if it’s a silver alloy at all. It was also once gilded, but I guess that may have been done for the purpose of using it as a pendant.
Later restrike from the original dies or relatively modern copy? First one I’ve seen in either case.
Last edited:
Are there known restrikes? I know the French like to do that but I'm not sure it is something strictly differentiated on something like this.
