Old Sails: French Galleon sails into the Sun on 1685 Jeton

Here is an uplifting panorama of a fully rigged ship on a starboard tact heading out of a heavy rain and into the sunshine.

The hull with its low forecastle and elaborate aft-castle tells us that it is a galleon from the seventeenth century. And the date on this French jeton confirms this: 1685.

The sun is personified as a young women with golden locks morphing into bright rays. She smiles. And her rays break through the clouds and shine directly on the ship below.

All is brightening. 

The storm with its massive rain drops is left behind – clear weather ahead.

The legend reads: VNVS QVI CVNCTA SERENAT. The words translate a positive affirmation: “The one for whom everything is brightening.”

And so, trading is prosperous, and the seas are safe. Mother nature is looking out for the mariners and merchants. And for France.

This jeton is dated 1685 on the obverse. It was struck for the Mayor of Paris, Henry de Fourey. Mitchiner cataloged this jeton as 3299; he estimated 900 latten pieces struck. They were minted at the Royal Mint and distributed near the end of the year to civic officers.

This is one of my favorite jetons. It is scarce but available – I have seen two others in as many years. The center and clouds wear easily as this one shows.