Assignaat van 25 sols, 1790-1796 1790 - 1796

This is an assignat of 25 sols, designed by Jean-Pierre Droz and printed in France between 1790 and 1796. Assignats were paper money issued by the National Assembly during the French Revolution. This example reflects the cultural and political upheavals of the time. "Law of January 1, 1792, year 4 of Liberty" makes reference to the new Republican calendar. The all-seeing eye and classical typeface evoke Enlightenment ideals, while the rooster symbolizes revolutionary vigilance. Text threatening counterfeiters with death and rewarding informants reveals anxieties about economic stability. The phrase "National Domains" is a reference to the seizure of land by the Revolutionary government. The assignats ultimately failed, leading to hyperinflation and economic instability, a reminder of the complex relationship between political upheaval and social order. To fully understand this piece, we might consult archival records, economic histories, and studies of revolutionary iconography. The assignat is not merely currency but a material embodiment of a society in transition.