Token - Intelligit Super Egenum

Reverse

Cardinal Richelieu standing facing; left hand leaning on an ornate cloth-covered table, right hand holding a glove. Lettering around, lettering and date in exergue, beaded border

Script: Latin

Lettering:
· INTELLIGIT SVPER EGENVM
· CAM · HOSP ·
· 1635 ·

Translation:
Thought to the needy
Hospital room

Edge

Plain

Comment

Catalogues: F. 10698a / C.cf 4195 / Fl.III.cf 1454.
Corre and Florange give the date of 1633. Feuardent gives this as 1635.
Alphonse-Louis de Richelieu, Archbishop of Lyon 1635. He was the brother of Cardinal Richelieu.

 Rare token, especially silver, struck for the brother of Cardinal Richelieu. A spelling error is noted in the legend to ELEEMOSINARIVS with the doubling of E. This title is still used today in the limited context of Masonic lodges where he refers to the brother in charge of charity, alms and assistance the brothers in distress. It was he who owns and manages the "trunk of the widow." Elder brother of Armand Jean du Plessis, better known under the name Richelieu, Alphonse Louis du Plessis was born in Paris in 1582. After being consecrated bishop of Luzon, he resigned his office in favor of his brother and retired in Chartreux in 1605. Cardinal Richelieu had him appointed Archbishop of Aix-en-Provence and Lyon. In 1629 he was appointed cardinal, and two years later, grand chaplain of France. He died in 1653 in Lyon.