1792 French Revolution 25-Sols Assignat—Paper Money Backed by Confiscated Church Property
An original French Revolutionary 25-sols assignat, issued under the law of January 4, 1792, during the fourth year of revolutionary “Liberty.”
The note was theoretically secured by France’s Domaines Nationaux—the vast holdings confiscated principally from the Catholic Church and converted into national property by the revolutionary government.
Prominently printed across its upper border is one of the most dramatic warnings ever placed on paper currency:
“The law punishes the counterfeiter with death; the nation rewards the informer.”
The design, attributed to celebrated Swiss-French engraver and medalist Jean-Pierre Droz, features the radiant Eye of Providence, a Gallic rooster, ornamental borders, and two official dry seals. It bears series number 1181 and the printed signature “Hervé.”
Low-denomination assignats were introduced in 1792 to relieve France’s acute shortage of circulating coins. The government ultimately authorized approximately 80 million examples of the 25-sols denomination. Massive issues of assignats contributed to increasingly severe inflation and the eventual collapse of revolutionary paper money—making these notes enduring artifacts of one of history’s most famous experiments in fiat currency.
Cataloged as Lafaurie 150 and Standard Catalog A55.
Circulated condition with original folds, moderate toning, scattered stains and soiling, softened corners, and an irregular upper edge. The design remains complete and readily legible, with both embossed seals faintly visible.
An original French Revolutionary 25-sols assignat, issued under the law of January 4, 1792, during the fourth year of revolutionary “Liberty.”
The note was theoretically secured by France’s Domaines Nationaux—the vast holdings confiscated principally from the Catholic Church and converted into national property by the revolutionary government.
Prominently printed across its upper border is one of the most dramatic warnings ever placed on paper currency:
“The law punishes the counterfeiter with death; the nation rewards the informer.”
The design, attributed to celebrated Swiss-French engraver and medalist Jean-Pierre Droz, features the radiant Eye of Providence, a Gallic rooster, ornamental borders, and two official dry seals. It bears series number 1181 and the printed signature “Hervé.”
Low-denomination assignats were introduced in 1792 to relieve France’s acute shortage of circulating coins. The government ultimately authorized approximately 80 million examples of the 25-sols denomination. Massive issues of assignats contributed to increasingly severe inflation and the eventual collapse of revolutionary paper money—making these notes enduring artifacts of one of history’s most famous experiments in fiat currency.
Cataloged as Lafaurie 150 and Standard Catalog A55.
Circulated condition with original folds, moderate toning, scattered stains and soiling, softened corners, and an irregular upper edge. The design remains complete and readily legible, with both embossed seals faintly visible.
