Louis XVI - Assembly of the Clergy 1785
Octagonal silver jeton struck to commemorate the assembly held in Paris. On this occasion, was voted the "free gift" that the Clergy, exempted from tax, paid to the king.
Legends
LUDOV XVI REX CHRISTIANISS
CONVENTUS CLERI GALLICANI HABITUS LUT. PARISIOR.MDCCLXXXV
About french jetons :
Historically, a jeton - or jetton - was at first just a counter, then some sort of small medal and finally more like a token.
At the beginning, during the Middle Ages, jetons were only used for calculations which were otherwise a difficult matter using roman numerals (remember : NO zeros !..). Since the Renaissance and especially during Louis XIV reign, jetons were meant as small medals depicting great events of the year. Every administration, big city or nobleman struck jetons which were all the rage during 17th and 18th centuries ! Later, during 19th and early 20th centuries, jetons were mostly struck in solid silver for companies which give them as annual reward to their shareholders or members.
18th century and earlier jetons are often found today in very used condition because of their extensive use as counters.
