FRANCE. 1st Republic. (7 January 1795). Assignat de Sept cent cinquante F(rancs), or 750 Francs. Series 51, number 688. Pick# A79. VF25 apparent, with a small tear in the left margin extending to the frame, with several pinholes noted internally. Reputedly the scarcest issued denomination of the regular assignats, and certainly one of the most unusual of the high value notes.
This appealing note shows generally white and fresh paper quality, with ample margins. An interesting feature is the large watermark ‘LIBERTE EGALITE, NATION FRANCAISE’, surrounded by an appealing ‘Greek Key’ or ‘meander’ patterned frame. The sobering warning contained in the frame states ‘The law punishes the counterfeiter with death- The nation rewards the informant’. The internal texts state that this note is a ‘Mortgage on the National Properties (Domains)’- meaning the Royal estates. Far superior to the Net VF20 example sold by Heritage Auctions, showing trimmed margins, staining, evidence of former mounting, and yellowing.
