France: silver jeton of Louis XV, "Aurora in cloud chariot", undated (ca. 1740)

France: silver jeton of Louis XV, "Aurora in cloud chariot", undated (ca. 1740)





















Obverse: LUD. XV. REX CHRISTIANISS, bust of Louis XV right.



Reverse: LATE.CVNCTA.PROFVNDIT., female deity or personification Aurora(?) in biga (two-horse chariot) galloping right through clouds, holding torch or candle.



Feuardent-13203, PCGS AU58, cert. #32657468. Ex-Atlas Numismatics, 10/13/2015.



These French jetons are often surprisingly inexpensive. One sees some spectacular ones from the 19th century, but I had to have this early 18th century example when I saw the toning and the reasonably modest price. Not too long ago, I briefly had another like it with the same Louis XV bust but a different reverse. They're roughly the size of a United States half-dollar. Big silver with nice toning and some history to it, already in PCGS plastic with a TrueView image? I couldn't resist it. Also, I later found out this is population 1 in all grades at PCGS as of late 2015, which is kind of neat, though not completely suprising.



As to the symbolism of the reverse, interpretations vary, but I would agree with those who say the personification is that of Aurora, the Roman goddess of the dawn. One interpretation has it that here she represents Christianity bringing peace to the world, though I think of this more as a motif representing enlightenment in general. This was, of course, struck during the era commonly referred to as the Age of Enlightenment.



Miscellaneous links:

Larger image

PCGS cert verification page (with TrueView image link)

Secondary discussion about this piece (Collectors Universe US Coins forum)



Wikipedia links:

Jeton

Louis XV of France

Aurora (mythology)

Age of Enlightenment







When posted here, this coin was part of my "Eclectic Box of 20" collection.