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300 Livres Assignat
| Issuer | Caisse de l'Extraordinaire |
|---|---|
| Year | 1791 |
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| In circulation to | 1795 |
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| Obverse description | The upper portion carries the bold heading DOMAINES NATIONAUX flanked by ornamental borders, with a central oval vignette portrait of King Louis XVI in profile. Below, the denomination ASSIGNAT DE TROIS CENTS liv. is set in letterpress, followed by a text block confirming payment to the bearer at the Caisse de l'Extraordinaire in accordance with the decrees of 1790 and 1791. At the lower left a guilloche-framed panel reads TROIS CENTS, mirrored at lower right by a similar panel bearing the numeral 300, with handwritten serial number and signature appearing in the central area. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | ASSIGNAT DE LA CRÉATION DES 19 JUIN ET 12 SEPTEMBRE 1791 DOMAINES NATIONAUX Hypothéqués au remboursement des Assignats par le décret de l'Assemblée Nationale des 16 et 17 Avril 1790, sanctionné par LE ROI. ASSIGNAT DE TROIS CENTS liv. Il sera payé au Porteur la somme de trois cents livres à la Caisse de l'Extraordinaire, conformément aux décrets des 16 et 17 Avril, 29 Septembre 1790, 19 Juin et 12 Septembre 1791 TROIS CENTS 300 GATTEAUX LA LOI ET LE ROI TROIS CENTS LIVRES |
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| Comments |
The 300 livres denomination sits at the high end of the assignat range and was issued by the Caisse de l'Extraordinaire, the short-lived body created in 1789 specifically to administer the forced loan proceeds and the nationalized church properties underpinning the assignat system. Gatteaux and Lorthior were both accomplished medal engravers — their involvement reflects the Revolutionary government's early anxiety about counterfeiting, which was a genuine threat from the outset and would only worsen.
By 1791 the assignat had already depreciated measurably from its original nominal value, undermining the entire premise that confiscated biens nationaux provided adequate backing. The 300 livres face value was substantial enough that forgery was economically worthwhile, and the engraving quality was a deliberate deterrent.