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French Revoluton / French Republic - Assignat note - 50 sols
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French Revoluton / French Republic - Assignat note - 50 sols
French Revoluton / French Republic - Assignat note for 50 sols, series 369, France, issued on 23rd May, 1793. From 1789, the new revolutionary government of France tried to raise money by issuing paper assignats, which circulated like modern banknotes. Some were of high denominations, but many were for small values, designed to replace coins, which were becoming increasingly scarce. Early designs for the higher value notes carried a head of the Bourbon king, Louis XVI. However, most of the notes included symbols of liberty and revolution. This 50 sols note shows two allegorical female figures representing Justice, with her scales, and the new Constitution, with a tablet inscribed Droits de l Homme, The Rights of Man. It was issued at a critical point in the French Revolution, the year that Louis XVI was sent to the guillotine. The value of the new notes was supposed to be guaranteed by the government through the sale of confiscated church land. However, like John Laws earlier experiment with paper money in France, these assignats were wildly over issued. Their value dropped so much that eventually they were literally worth less than the price of the paper they were printed on. The French government abandoned the note issue in February 1796. Date: 1793
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Media ID 11576331
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
1793 23rd Banknote Constitution Currency Issue Issued Justice Liberty Note Scales Symbols Values Assignat Rights
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This print showcases a rare and historically significant French Revolution-era Assignat note for fifty sols, issued on May 23, 1793, during the French Republic. As the revolutionary government sought to raise funds, they turned to issuing paper assignats, which functioned as banknotes. This note, part of series 369, is a testament to the revolutionary spirit of the time. Early designs for higher-value notes featured the head of King Louis XVI, but this note, like many others, instead showcases allegorical female figures representing Justice and the new Constitution. Justice is depicted with her scales, while the Constitution is symbolized by a tablet inscribed with the phrase "Droits de l'Homme," or "The Rights of Man." This note was issued at a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, the year that King Louis XVI was sent to the guillotine. The value of these notes was supposed to be guaranteed by the government through the sale of confiscated church land. However, much like John Law's earlier experiment with paper money in France, the assignats were wildly overissued. Their value plummeted, and by February 1796, the French government had abandoned the note issue entirely. This Assignat note, with its powerful symbolism and historical significance, offers a fascinating glimpse into the turbulent and transformative period of the French Revolution. Its intricate design and rich history make it a must-have for any collection focused on revolutionary France or the history of currency.
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