1723 Franco-American Jeton. Company of the Indies. Betts-113, Frossard-1. Silver. Plain Edge. EF-40 (PCGS).

31 mm. Coin alignment. An inviting piece with gold and olive highlights to predominantly silver-gray surfaces. All major design elements are bold, the surfaces smooth for the grade with faint traces of luster remaining. Struck for the Compagnies des Indes, a royal agency founded by John Law that monopolized overseas trade for the French crown. The reverse legend on this medalet indicates the royal attitude towards the Compagnie: "it increases hope and prepares wealth." The company was the primary force behind the founding of New Orleans and the Canadian fur trade. This is a very nice specimen of this extremely rare Franco-American jeton. This variety is listed in the Edouard Frossard work on Franco-American jetons as Frossard-1. The author describes the mountain on the seal of the Compagnie des Indes as "allusive to Mont Real or Montreal where the Compagnie des Indes has its central house, still standing in Jacques Cartier Square, and the river-god to the St. Lawrence River."