1793 French Revolution 50 Sols Assignat, Framed

An original French Revolutionary assignat dating to 1793, issued during the First French Republic.

Denominated at fifty sols, the note was issued under the law of May 23, 1793 and bears the inscription “Domaines nationaux, Assignat de cinquante sols, payable au porteur.” Designed by French medalist and engraver Nicolas-Marie Gatteaux, the lower portion incorporates distinctly Revolutionary imagery, including a figure with the Rights of Man at left and Justice holding her scales at right. 

More than two centuries later, the surviving paper retains wonderful evidence of its history, with toning, creasing, staining and irregularities from age and use.

Presented beneath glass with a wide mat in a distressed pale blue-gray wood frame, it makes a particularly interesting small piece of genuine French Revolutionary history for a gallery wall, library or collected interior.

France, 1793.

Paper assignat under glass.

Framed dimensions: approximately 11” × 9”

Condition is consistent with considerable age and use, including toning, staining, creasing, edge wear and other imperfections to the original note. The frame shows distressed and surface wear. Please review photographs closely.

Please note: Three examples of this historic note are available. Each is an original 1793 assignat and therefore varies naturally in series number, toning, wear, staining, creasing and other signs of age. The example received may differ slightly from the photographs shown.