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France - 1797

Heros Buonaparte

Obverse:

Early portrait, facing right.

Legend:

HEROS BUONAPARTE.

Size:

25 mm.

Reverse:

A man on a rearing horse, probably intended to represent Buonaparte.

Legend:

GENERAL EN CHEF

Exergue:

IETTON

Vern's Comments:

I was told by David Block that this jeton is of German origin and was produced to be sold as a memento of a newsworthy event. He did say that Hennin identified this jeton as having been produced in 1797 so I moved it from my speculative 1796.

Jetons are a curiosity to me. As near as I can figure out, they were sold to the general public as a way of commemorating the successes of the Republic's armies and its leaders. In this sense they are similar to 'tokens' in Britain. Unlike tokens however they do not appear to have also fulfilled the function of small change. In a time when metal coinage of any sort was being hoarded, the fact that this use of brass was permitted is probably significant. In this case it would appear that a German business was involved.

Hennin:

N^o. 837. Pl. 83.

31 Décembre 1797.

Jeton.

Heros Buonaparte.
R. General en chef.

HEROS BUONAPARTE. Buste du général Bonaparte, à droite.

GENERAL EN CHEF. Le général en chef Bonaparte, vêtu à l'antique, tenant le bâton de commandement, et à cheval, allant à droite. Exergue: IETTON [25^m].

Cette pièce, ayant été faite vraisemblablement en 1797, me paraît devoir être classée à la fin de cette année.

Heros Buonaparte