Watch List notes:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. France - United States. Regiment de la Calotte/John Law Satirical Bronze Medal, ND (ca. 1860-79). Paris Mint. Grade: ABOUT UNCIRCULATED.

Adams-S-3; Betts-66-70, n. 3. Diameter: 44 mm; Weight: 35.72 gms. Obverse: Folly seated slightly right on throne set upon clouds, holding scepter surmounted by Jester's head; Reverse: Coat-of-Arms of the society: oval shield decorated with the three phases of the moon above scepter, surmounted by Jester's head, set on field of bees; above, facing helmet decorated with bells and surmounted by weathervane above cat left; to left and right, simian supporters, each with heads turned outward and holding smoking cornucopias; all set on floral scroll. A Medal with sharp design detail, slightly rough fields, and a dark brassy color.

Most likely struck for the Regiment de la Calotte, a festive and carnival society of military origin, this medal has been traditionally ascribed to John Law, the famous Scottish economist of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Surrounded by a bad reputation for the disastrous results of his financial and economic adventures-such as the Mississippi bubble-he is now considered to have been a forerunner in his field.

Estimate: $60 - $100