French 1668 medal/coin

[Roeland]

Hello,

I had no idea where to ask this question, but considered the Napoleonic part of this site twould perhaps be the best place to ask.

anyone any idea what this medal/coin is for?

it looks like the front shows king Louis XIV.

the back shows a ship with the text navigatio instavrata, and the year 1668.

5cm diameter

thank you for any information

Edited June 11, 2007 by Roeland

[Roeland]

P.S.

If I should have posted this question somewhere else, could a moderator please put it in the correct section, thank you!

[Bear]

Hello Roeland,

I don't know that much about medals but you might beable to track down another one here that might have a description.

http://www.vcoins.com/world/

just use the SEARCH

I'll see If I can find one.

thanks,

barry

[Roeland]

hello barry,

thanks for the link, no luck searching though.

I've been searching the internet myself for things that happened in 1668, or something to do with ships and Louis XIV, no luck either.I'll keep on searching, any other information or ways to look are still welcome of course.

kind regards,

Roeland

[Great Dane]

Hi Roeland,

Don't know if this is of much help (but at least a starting point):

Collections Online

Note that it is similar but not 100% identical...

/Mike

[Roeland]

Hi Mike!

that's great, I finally know what it is, I guess they are the same, although they aren't identical (perhaps mine isn't original or a different maker?).

Thank you!

kind regards,

Roeland

Edited June 11, 2007 by Roeland

[Djedj]

Bonsoir,

It looks like several medals were actually struck to commemorate the reinstatement of France as a Naval Power.

The first one appears to have been struck in 1665, with the the same general look (Louis XIV on one side, a sailing ship on the other one), but the legends :

"LUDOVICUS XIIII. REX CHRITIANIS"

and :

"NAVIGATIO INSTAURATA

M.DC.LXV."

Another medal would be struck - that would be yours - with the date "1668" (there are references to a "M.DC.LXVIII" legend as well, so there could be several variations out there).

In 1670, yet another medal is recorded - with the legend "Res navalis instaurata"

These medals were apparently PR operations, striking a statement (a repeated statement...) inside -and outside- France that there was a Naval Power to reckon with...

(sorry no pictures available)

Salutations,

J?r?me

[paul wood]

Bonsoir,

It looks like several medals were actually struck to commemorate the reinstatement of France as a Naval Power.

The first one appears to have been struck in 1665, with the the same general look (Louis XIV on one side, a sailing ship on the other one), but the legends :

"LUDOVICUS XIIII. REX CHRITIANIS"

and :

"NAVIGATIO INSTAURATA

M.DC.LXV."

Another medal would be struck - that would be yours - with the date "1668" (there are references to a "M.DC.LXVIII" legend as well, so there could be several variations out there).

It is a medal for the restoration of the Marine in 1668 by Jean Warin who was the official engraver at the French Royal mint and produced dies for the Regal coinage. If you look at the rim it may say BRONZE, if this is the cae it is a 19th century or later Paris mint restrike, if there is nothing on the rim then it is likely to be contemporary. Probably the best book on this subject is French Medals 1600-72, A Catalogue of the Fench Medals in the British Museum, Volume 2, by Mark Jones ISBN 0-7141-0856-1.

Hope this is of help,

Paul

In 1670, yet another medal is recorded - with the legend "Res navalis instaurata"

These medals were apparently PR operations, striking a statement (a repeated statement...) inside -and outside- France that there was a Naval Power to reckon with...

(sorry no pictures available)

Salutations,

J?r?me

[Roeland]

thanks for the additional information J?r?me and Paul.

Can't find a word on the rim but I have the feeling it is not a 1668 original if I compare it with the other one from the museum.

[paul wood]

Bonsoir,

It looks like several medals were actually struck to commemorate the reinstatement of France as a Naval Power.

The first one appears to have been struck in 1665, with the the same general look (Louis XIV on one side, a sailing ship on the other one), but the legends :

"LUDOVICUS XIIII. REX CHRITIANIS"

and :

"NAVIGATIO INSTAURATA

M.DC.LXV."

Another medal would be struck - that would be yours - with the date "1668" (there are references to a "M.DC.LXVIII" legend as well, so there could be several variations out there).

In 1670, yet another medal is recorded - with the legend "Res navalis instaurata"

These medals were apparently PR operations, striking a statement (a repeated statement...) inside -and outside- France that there was a Naval Power to reckon with...

(sorry no pictures available)

Salutations,

J?r?me

The medal was by the official royal medallist Jean Warin. There are two specimens in the British Museum.

Paul