Old Sails: Suffering the Winds

Some of the best ships can be found on Jetons.
   After the popularity of the counting board faded in the late 1500s, jetons morphed into propaganda pieces, souvenirs, and remuneration tokens. It was a clever move for the mint masters. As a result, some beautiful ships were launched.
   One of my favorite jetons is this softly worn piece dabbed with a reddish patina. It is made of brassy alloy common to the era. It was probably a pocket piece for several decades before being set aside and passed between collectors. I like to imagine the various owners who contemplated the ship -- perhaps wondering what it was like on the open seas, wondering where this particular ship was going, wondering about the New World. After all, the piece is nearly 400 years old!
   The ship style is familiar to jeton collectors, as the accentuated curve of the midships coupled with the stacked stern castle and bold, somewhat pointed, fore deck is characteristic of many French ship jetons of the era. The curved hull planking, bold with nails, is also of this style. The billowing sails complete the signature. The same artist likely did them all. A very similar ship can be seen on some Cardinal Richelieu pieces.

French Jeton from Dijon with caravel pitted against
winds blowing in both directions. The banner assures
the lone mariner that this ship is protected.

   I would classify the vessel as a caravel -- it has the classic U-shape. We are treated to port view, sailing away from us so that the stern rudder is clear. The sea is choppy and strong winds blow from both directions -- port and starboard. The clouds are personified with lips blowing. Of note, the sole mariner has a large presence and is clearly out of scale -- perhaps to show how alone a sailor can be in the sea and at the mercy of the winds.
   My interpretation of this is swayed by the legend which reads: TVRBANT. SED. EXTOLLVNT. The Vs are actually Us. The words (in Latin) translate to: "They agitate it, and they raise it." I checked the translation in French which was similar: "Distracting, but lifting." These phrases refer to the winds. Blowing one way and then another, we suffer them, and we depend on them. The phrase is biblical and comes from Job 30:22.
   The large banner, artfully weaved into the scene reads: HOC. SIDERBTVTVS. This one puzzles me. It translates to: "This (ship? Sea?) is safe or protected." Maybe it means that with faith, we are protected. I am not totally sure about this. And, I do not know if the sole sailor has a specific identity. Perhaps you have an opinion?
   Nonetheless, this jeton is a wonderful addition for the ship collector. It is the perfect period piece for the necromancer!