Token - Monnoye de Lille / Laboris Fructus Immunitas ND

Reverse

A garden, inside of which is a palace.
A vegetable garden with vegetables and flowers by bees 'butinés', enclosed by walls, with a monumental gate at the bottom. In the front left corner, on a bench, a hive covered with straw wicker; above, a swarm of bees flew by following his king.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
AD REGIS NUTUM OTIA PELLUNT.
MONNOYE DE LILLE

Translation:
They work tirelessly to suit the desires (needs) of King
[Elles travaillent sans relâche au gré des désirs (besoins) du roi]

Edge

Plain

Comment

Made around 1735 at l'Hôtel de la Monnaie de Lille.
References: Van Hende 451 & Feuardent 7228 (silver version is 7227).
Louis XIV (1643-1715), Flandre.

The decision of a Mint in Lille, with jurisdiction over Artois, Flanders and Hainaut, was taken in 1685, but the workshop commences operation in 1686. It s' is to substitute quickly a French coinage even Spanish coinage in circulation in the region, several years after the annexation of Flanders. On the occasion of this opening, the Hotel officers get privileges exemption granting and most tax exemptions hereditary; and coin workers and fitters are exempt, for example, duties on wine and beer. The legend of the obverse intends to recall these acquired privileges.
This token assigned by Van Hende the opening period of the Hotel de la Monnaie de Lille (then under Louis XIV, circa 1686-1687) but J.Jambu think I was hit in the mid-1730s (thus under Louis XV), was probably taken for many years, and distributed mainly during internal ceremonies at the Mint Hotel.
The symbolic anthropomorphic hive and bees on these two jetons is classic: the bees are working in the service of their king, they faithfully follow (swarm), as men are the monarch of the service, in the unity of social body (the hive).
A.A.A.F.F. - Auro, Argento, Aere, Flando, Feriundo = Gold, Silver & Brass correctly prepared metal submitted to the Authorised punch. This alludes to the monetal triumvirs appointed for the coining and stamping of gold, silver and brass money of the Romans. It was their office to take care that the public coinage should not be counterfeited, nor its material adulterated or its proper weight diminished. In short, they were officially answerable for the genuineness of coins.