Catalog Reference

Adams-12

Designer: Unsigned
Composition: Silver
Size: 26.1 mm
Weight: 114.2 grains (7.40 grams)

Both sides of this medal are entirely text. As noted in our Ford sale, "the die is similar to that of [Betts-121] but not identical to it." While Ford had both a Betts-121 and a Betts-140, Adams had neither, nor did LaRiviere. The Adams plate piece is in ANS. Though lacking graphically, this medal offers a rich insight into the Law drama as it unfolded. Adams quotes Benjamin Betts' description and it's worth excerpting here:

The last three lines on the obverse seemingly refer to, and should be read after the reverse, which is a song or verse of two responsive couplets: in the first, Law asserts that the shares are to pay good interest; while in the second, the doubters express their dissent from this proposition.

This is one of the few Law-related medals that actually mentions Louisiana: PARISER WEST-INDISCH LOUISIANISCHER COMPAGNIE translates as "Parisian West Indian Louisiana Company."

"PARISER | WEST-INDISCH | LOUISIANISCHER | COMPAGNIE | ACTIEN | ODER | STAAT-BILIETS | IEDE A | 500 • LIVRES OD • 166 2/3 • TH. | VON I • IAN • 1717 • | MIT IV • PRO CENT ZU | VERINTERESSIREN" translates to "Shares of the Parisian West Indian-Louisiana Company were valued at 500 livres each, equivilent to 166 2/3 thalers, on January 1, 1717 and yeilding 4% interest."

"SIND INCONFISCABEL | UND SEMPER FREY | IN FINE VIDEBITUR | CVIVS | TONI" translates to "They cannot be confiscated and are always free. In the end it will be seen what is the value of this story."

"ALLES LIEGT AM GLÜCK UND AN DER ZEIT" translates to "Everything depends on luck and time."

"SO | VERSICHERTS | LAWS | UND SPRICHT : | DIESES GLAUB ICH | ANDERS NICHT | MANCHER | DOCH MIT THOMA | SPRICHT : | ICH GLAUB ED | NOCH LANGE | NICHT • | 1720" translates to "So Laws declares and says 'I hold exactly this belief: many a one, however, says with Thomas, I doubt it.'"