I have never seen this one nor have I had luck finding it. Its in rather rough shape, just wondering if anyone has seen this one and can fill me in...

Check out this cgb link: http://www.cgb.fr/monnaies/jetons/j15/fr/monnaies6bbf.html

The motto HIC OCVLIS... means "Seen from this perspective, the city shines." I've never seen your jeton before. I don't have my books here to look it up, but I can't find it on cgb. Maybe a Nuremberg fabrication? --the quality looks a bit off...

And the perspective on your jeton's reverse almost looks like it's from the western tip of the Ile de la Cité, with Notre Dame in the background of course, and the equestrian statue of Henri IV in the foreground, with the bridge spans on either side. But I'm not at all sure that Henri IV's statue was already up in the 1670's (he was killed in 1610)... Ian would have a good idea, I bet.

It is a jeton of the municipal series of Paris, a view from the Pont-Neuf. The reverse inscription is HIS OCVLIS LVSTRATA REFVLGET. (These eyes illuminated brightly -- maybe beautiful view?).

Feuardent 3413

thanks for the information bill, at least I have an ID for it. I would love to see an example of it without the heavy wear that this one has but I cant find one...interesting little jeton all the same

Ah......i'm envious! I don't have that one yet.

That particular jeton of yours is from one of my favourite series of jetons, those issued for the Commissaires du Chatelet. The Commissaires du Chatelet were france's Magistrates / Judges, established under the ancien regime. Under an edit issued by Louis XIV in march 1667 the role became more concerned with policing but with much wider scope than currently understood by modern concepts of `police' and `public security'. The Commissaires remained mainly involved as judges but also with the establishment and administration of the judiciary systems at Le Chatelet, Ile de France, Paris.

Here's a slightly earlier copper jeton of mine which relates to the general office of the (royal) Commissioners ('Chambre des Commissaires du Roi au Chatelet'), the forerunners to the edict of 1667

http://omnicoin.com/coin_view_enlarge.aspx?id=937108

Here's a couple of 18th century silver examples of mine which relate to individual `chief' commissioners or `deans' and their periods in office (Doyenne). I've managed to find seven different jetons for the Deans so far, but still have a few more to go before my collection is complete. Won't bore you with them all though

http://omnicoin.com/coin_view_enlarge.aspx?id=937107

http://omnicoin.com/coin_view_enlarge.aspx?id=937675

Oh...no bother, I find it very interesting and the jetons are very attractive. The first one you posted is the closest thing I have found to this issue of mine....the reverse is very much the same...thanks for the info...if you happen along another example of this one (for your own collection or just see one) do let us know, I would like to see it.

Here's an earlier type (dated 1604) I've just bought. Not a city view type but it specifically mentions `police' in the legends and is one of the earliest linking `police' with Chastellet in Paris (modern spelling = Chatelet).

http://omnicoin.com/coin_view_enlarge.aspx?id=939856

.... another one I bought recently is of the Commissaires de Police, this time of M'sieu Hubert and dated 1759

http://omnicoin.com/coin_view_enlarge.aspx?id=939858