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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 | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Reverse description | The reverse shows the printed text and vignettes of the obverse bleeding through the thin paper as a strong impression, with a large handwritten endorsement or countersignature across the upper right area and an ink stamp impression visible in the centre. No independent design was printed on this side. |
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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.