Catalog Reference

Adams-7
Alexi-I

Engraver: Christian Wermuth (unsigned)
Composition:

Size: 44.3 mm
Weight: 405.9 grains (26.30 grams)

Adams places this as the earliest of the John Law satirical medals, as the design "raises issues about the Mississippi system but does not resolve them [and] suggests that the time of striking was early in 1720, well before the debacle that was to occur in July of that year." The obverse shows a standing figure of Law holding a scroll or broadside reading LOUISIANA EST EST BANCO ET MONETA while at the opening of a cave, where a figure representing Envy hides inside. A winged Fame trumpets two messages above: "praise among the stars" and "praise on earth," but the engraver (Christian Wermuth) has imbedded a pun within: the word for praise is "LAVS" or "Laws," just like John Law. The long inscription on the reverse is translated by Adams and Betts; it is a conversation between Envy and Praise ("Laws") that speaks of the "sale of worthless hope" and selling "mountains of gold but you possess only brass."

Known in silver and white metal, the silver is probably a bit more common but also more desirable.

"LOVISIANA | EST EST | BANCO ET | MONETA" translates to "Louisiana is a Bank and a Mint."

"LAVS IN ASTRIS | LAVS IN TERRIS" translates to "His praise is in the stars, his praise is throughout the earth."

"INVIDIAM VIRTUTE PARTAM | GLORIAM NON INVIDIAM | IVDICO | CIC • P • CAT • I • C • 13" translates to "The envy which is born of virtue, I consider to be glory not envy. Cicero's First Oration against the Praetor Catiline, Chapter 12."

"INVIDIA | LVCRIPETAS ALLICIS | VANAE VENDITIONE SPEI • | LAVS | QVOD VERVM EST LATEAT | QUAMVIS ALIQVANDO PATEBIT • | INVIDIA | AVRIFEROS VENDIS MONTES: | POTIERIS AHENIS! | LAWS | QVICQVID SVB TERRA EST, IN | APRICVM PROFERET AETAS • | HORAT • I • EP • 6 | AVTOR | PASCITVR IN VIVIS LIVOR; | POST FATA QVIESCIT; | TVNC SVVS EX MERITO | QVOQVE TVETVR HONOS. | OVID • I • AMOR • 15 | ARG • STRAESB • F • | 1720" translates the conversation of the two figures on the front of the medal to:
"Envy: You entice those who seek wealth by the sale of a worthless hope.
Law: That which is true, although concealed, will sometime be disclosed.
Envy: You offer for sale gold-bearing mountains; you possess nothing but brass.
Law: Whatever is under the earth, time will bring to light.
Author: Horace, Epistles, I. 6. Malice feeds on the living; after death, it rests. Then every one will receive honor according to his deserts.
In Exergue: Ovid, Art. Amor. i: 15. Made at Strassburg, in silver, 1720."