“General Treasury of the King’s House” Token – Arthus-Bertrand

This token is a replica of a token produced in the 18^th century. The obverse side represents the profile of King Louis XVI with the inscription LUD.XVI. REX CHRISTIANIS. (Louis XVI, Most Christian King) and the reverse side shows the King’s cipher (two intertwined “L’s”) crowned with the inscription “Trésorerie générale de la Maison du Roi”.

Unlike a medal, which is defined as a collector’s item designed to “preserve the portrait of illustrious people or the memory of […] an event” (Trévoux Dictionary, 177), a token originally had a use and could have several functions – serve as a monetary value on a gambling table, be given as a present or used as proof of belonging to a service.

Material: Gilded bronze or silvered bronze
Diameter: 28 mm