Antoine Le Febure, van het tweede provoostschap van de koophandel te Parijs 1654

This is a copper coin commemorating Antoine Le Febure, from the second provostship of commerce in Paris, and it dates to 1654. On one side, we see a coat of arms, symbolic of Le Febure's status and lineage within the French social hierarchy. During this period, France was under the rule of Louis XIV, a time marked by mercantilist economic policies aimed at bolstering national wealth through trade and industry. Institutions like the provostship of commerce played a crucial role in regulating economic activities and enforcing trade laws. The imagery on the coin serves to reinforce the authority and legitimacy of these institutions and individuals. The coin's imagery is a window into the economic and political landscape of 17th-century France, revealing how visual symbols were employed to convey power and status. By examining historical documents, economic treatises, and records of trade regulations, we can better understand the social context in which this coin was produced.