France (Compagnie La Prévoyance): silver jeton (insurance token) engraved by Paulin Tasset, 1869

France (Compagnie La Prévoyance): silver jeton (insurance token) engraved by Paulin Tasset, 1869

Obverse: Nude, draped female figure standing left, right arm reaching towards ship at sea, left arm holding a snake-entwined mirror; she is surrounded by mercantile products, an anchor, and a cornucopia full of coins. Inscription in exergue: P. TASSET.
Reverse: COMPAGNIE / LA / PRÉVOYANCE / 22 MARS 1869; wreath of river reeds (cattails), caduceus at bottom.
Issuer: Assurances Compagnie La Prévoyance, France. Engraved by sculptor Ernest Paulin Tasset, who also designed coins for several countries outside France.
Specifications: Silver, 36 mm octagonal, 18.88 g, medal alignment. Incuse edge mark reads ARGENT ("silver").*
Grade: PCGS MS63; cert. #35075130. Purchased raw.
Reference: PCGS-599608, Numista-190433, Gailhouste-690.
Provenance: ex-Numiscorner, Lille, France, via VCoins store, 25 January 2018.*
Notes: Medallic French jetons have been struck for many centuries, almost always to a high standard of artistry, but many from the 18th and 19th centuries bear particularly elaborate and lovely designs. Several 19th century types were struck on octagonal silver planchets like this.
Comments: As of this typing (August, 2020), this piece is one of only two examples certified by PCGS. The other is also graded MS63 like this one. I think mine is beautiful, but the other one could be described as especially stunning. Its owner must be duly proud. This type (Gailhouste-690) is certainly an exceptionally beautiful design.

















020384S

 

Side note: I am unsure if "Assurances Compagnie La Prévoyance" is a generic term or a reference to a specific company? I'm also a bit foggy on what practical purpose these served. Were they used as mathematical counters, like some jetons? Elaborately designed silver pieces seem a bit rich for such a utilitarian function, surely? I also wonder how exactly they related to the insurance industry, if anyone knows.

 

Thought I’d do a thread resurrection on this one, since I came here to fetch a link, earlier.

 

I don’t know, but I like them. They seem to have made a lot of octagonal jetons in the early- to mid-19th century. (And even earlier, like your 1785 piece.) Some have really attractive and interesting designs.

 

Just a year earlier than mine.