It wasn’t long after sending me some choice Junk silver when my Hong Kong connection once again came up with something I would like and offered me a sweet selection of coins from a consignee client of his. From the photographs he sent I selected three of five coins. They were not coins but Jetons, similar to tokens with no denomination and no date.
No problem.
“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven.
The Silverware
This was admittedly an impulse buy and always on the lookout for 'fringe' silver that is different than the usual product. I was already somewhat familiar with these medallions/tokens that where not meant to be used as currency but considering the regular money shortages often exacted by the cost of wars it was certain some have seen innumerable transactions in place of money.
From the 13th to the 19th century official Jetons were primarily used as counters in tabulating the flow of goods and products to and from a given district with other economic regions all over Europe. This particular silver Jeton was used for official book keeping functions by agents of Bayonne's Chamber of Commerce.
Beyonne itself is a natural port situated on the intersection of the Adour and Nive rivers at the very southwest corner of France. Each region or city had an elected Chamber of Commerce established as a mediator between the state and the business interests of Bayonne’s jurisdiction.
The following is a close up of the Reverse and you will see why I love this silver piece. The ship is a three masted Barque with eleven guns on her starboard side with at least a chaser guns in the bow and stern for a 24 gun complement. The ship is generic and represented a typical trade vessel.
How these Jetons are used is that they are systematically arranged on a board similar to that of an abacus. Agents acting on behalf of Bayonne’s Chamber of Commerce tabulate incoming goods as they are off loaded from ship to warehouse. So as an examples; bales of cotton, barrels of rum, sacks of sugar, cords of exotic wood from the West Indies. All tabulated in quantity, goods labelled, stored, and an itemized Invoice issued to the owner of the goods for import taxes levied to be settled at the customs office.
The obverse reminds the agent or agents that who the taxes are sent to in our little walk through example, King Louis XVIII. Again we can see that this Jeton has been remarkably preserved with just a tiny bit of wear on his temple lock making this grade a strong AU+ 58 based on my lack of grading experience.
Fresh from Russian exile King Louis XVIII assumed the role as King of France from 1814 to 1824 following the defeat of Emperor Napoleon at Waterloo, which pretty much dates this old silver Jeton.
In Closing
This 210 year old Louis XVIII Jeton is a remarkable piece of economic history. The mystery of how many of these are in collections and graded populations? I’ve accounted for half a dozen specimens that were in past and present auctions that were not even close to the quality of this specimen. Numista’s rarity index suggest similar Jetons in the high 90s of 100, evidence of a few members having these yet there is no entry of this particular Jeton on their database.
Could this be a rare Numismatic prize worthy of appearing on the cover of a Sotheby’s Auction Catalog? Or a very well made modern fake? Maybe. Maybe not, but I snapped this up quick as if was, because I buy what I like, if I can afford it.
Be Forewarned
Numismatics are a whole different world of coin investing apart from Investment grade bullion. Do your own research as this field requires a considerable grasp of grading, knowledge and market conditions. Just make sure you leave clearly written instructions to your descendants in the proper liquidation of such numismatic assets.
I will post the remaining two Jetons later as more information is forth coming.
Always adding Silver and Crypto to my Stack for that rainy day or dark and stormy night!
The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain @stokjockey for #silvergoldstackers pirates to proudly showcase their shiny booty and plunder for all to see. Landlubbers arrrh… welcomed to participate and to be a Pirate at heart so open yer treasure chests an’ show us what booty yea got!
References
Photos are my own shot with an ancient 2018 Samsung SM-A530W or otherwise indicated.
P. Image under Pixabay
W. Wiki Commons
☠️🎃 Page Dividers by thekittygirl. ❄️🌞
Cameo Raven Brooch from The Black Wardrobe.
1929 Bank of Indochina 20 Franc.
The 2024 Hive 0.999 Silver Round.
