Louisiana Currency
July 1, 1720
The second of three typeset emissions of the Banque Royale (see the entry under the previous emission, dated of January 1, 1720, for a general introduction to the series). The 1,000 and 10,000 livres notes of the prior emission were to be taken out of circulation and the notes printed in this emission were to be given in exchange for them. As this was an exchange issue the word "Division" appears above the text. As with the previous issue the notes were hand numbered. The backs were blank. The 100 livres note had written signatures (added by the deputies of the officers named on the notes) while the 10 livres note had printed signatures. Denominations in this issue were: 10 and 100 livres Tournois notes.
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10 Livres Tournois Serial Number: 401,301 LA 07/01/20
Signers: Printed signatures of Giraudeau, Delanauze and Granet.
Size: 89 x 151mm.
Comments: The text is translated as: [Top line] Ten Tournois pounds. [Line two] Division. [Main text] The Bank promises to pay the Bearer at sight Ten Tournois pounds in Silver Specie, value received At Paris the first of July one thousand seven hundred twenty. [signatures] Viewed (i.e. inspected) for Mr. Fenellon (signed by a deputy); Signed for Mr. Bourgeois (signed by a deputy); Controlled for Mr. Durevest (signed by a deputy). Jean Baptiste de Fénelon was the Inspector for the Bank, Étienne Bourgeois was the Treasurer and Durevest was the Comptroller.
This note was impressed with the bank seal. The indent shows BAN from BANQUE ROYALE. The paper is watermarked with "Billet de Banque" (Banknote) in cursive script. This example shows the full "Billet de Banque" (read from the back of the note on the same end as the indent). There are also three chain lines visible in the paper. click here to view the blank back
Provenance: Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. endowment from EANA auction of Jan. 18, 1997, lot 280.
