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10 Sous Assignat
| Issuer | Assemblée Nationale, France |
|---|---|
| Year | 1792 |
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| Composition | Paper |
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| Obverse description | The note is enclosed within a typeset letterpress border of ornamental columns, rosettes, and cross motifs. The central field carries the denomination in graduated typography, with a triangular vignette at the lower centre in which two allegorical female figures flank a fasces surmounted by a Phrygian liberty cap enclosing the numeral 10. A manuscript signatory flourish appears to the right of the payable clause, with the series designation and revolutionary calendar year in the upper border panels. |
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| Protection type | Watermark |
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| Comments |
Assigned against nationalized church property like all assignats, the 10 sous denomination was introduced specifically to address a shortage of small change — the kind of day-to-day coinage that had effectively vanished from French markets by 1791 as citizens hoarded metal. These petits assignats were deeply unpopular; shopkeepers refused them, counterfeiting was rampant at this face value, and the government issued successive replacement series trying to stay ahead of forgers.
Gatteaux was a medal engraver by training, and his involvement reflects how the Republic leaned on its finest die-cutters when printing infrastructure was overwhelmed.