with Law as Director-General. He also appointed him Comptroller
General of Finances. In 1719 Law floated the great
bubble Mississippi Scheme, which failing in the next year,
plunged thousands of families into ruin. Law was, in consequence,
compelled to quit Franoe, and, retiring for a while to
Brussels, he afterwards settled at Yenioe, where he died in
indigence, 21 March, 1729. This piece was struck soon after
the crash of all Law’s financial undertakings, whioh it ridicules.
56. J o h n L aw, t h e F in a n c ie r . 1720.
Half-length figure of Law, three-quarters, head facing,
&c. ; same as the preceding.
Rev. Inscription,
A'W/A mvntvs f u l d t e z i b i [i.e. Quia mundus vult decipi],
NICHT LUSCHT MEHR HAT ZUR LOTTERIB,
SO SOHAFFT VOR BILLETS AC TIEN HER,
IN DIE KREUZ UND IN DIE QUER,
NACH DER IETZ’GEN WELT BEGEHR.
1720.
(Because the world wishes to be deoeived! it takes no longer
delight in lotteries, and so procures shares for tickets in all
directions according to its present desire.)
1-8.
MB. electrotype from Bibl. Paris, JR. Very rare.
This and the two following medals also ridicule the state of
things in France and the prevailing spirit of speculation.
57. J o h n L aw, t h e F in a n c ie r . 1720. «
A man, partially undressed, and lighting his pipe with a
bundle of script, is emitting coins, some of which, provided
with wings, are flying away; above, nvmmvs v b i l o q v it v r .
(Money, when he speaks.) Leg. Chronogrammatic. b e e t e r I n
D e wyD e w e r e L t ; aL s I n D e naU e b U yk of kI s t . (Better
in the wide world, than in the narrow stomach or chest, d d d l l -
v v i i i = 1618.) Ex. Chronogrammatic. N ooI t b r e e k t y s e r .
22 . pr o C e n t . (Necessity breaks iron ; 22 per cent., ci = 101.)'
Rev. Chronogrammatic inscription across the field, e n M agnas
D at o p e s C e L e b e r L aV V fo e n o r e qV e s t V s . (Behold I the
renowned Law, by usury of gain, gives great wealth, mdcllvvvv
=1720.) Leg. Chronogrammatic. koM t s e h t D as f r a n t z -
V oL C k an I h e r r L aV V t h V t g r o s s e t h a t e n ! (Come,
behold the people of France; Mr. Law doeth great things,
MDCLLVVVV = 1720.)
1-25.
R. W. Cochran-Patrick, iR. Very rare.
The chronograms in the legend and exergue on the obverse
make up the date 1714, about which time Law began his speculative
undertakings in Paris.
58. J o h n L aw, t h e F in a n c ie r . 1720.
A man blowing script from a pair of bellows, and crying out,
w e r k a v ft AOTiEN. (Who will buy shares ?) Leg. w e r s ic h
Dvroh d ie s e n w in d d e n g e l d g e it z l a e s s e t f v h r e n . (Who
in the desire for money will allow himself to be led by this
wind ?) Ex. s e y k lvg . v . w iz ig in v e r k e h r e n . (Be prudent
and cautious in your transactions.)
Rev. A dog crossing a bridge over a stream and dropping a
bundle of script, the shadow of which is seen in the water
below. Leg. d e r kan v e rw ir r v n g s v o l l s e in haab . v .
g v th v e r l ie r e n . (In his confusion he may lose his goods and
possessions.) Ex. so l l d ic h e s o p i hvnd n ic h t l e h r e n .
1720. (Will you not learn a lesson from the dog of Aesop ?)'
1-85.
R. IV. Cochran-Patrick, JR. Very rare.
5 9 . J ohn L aw, t h e F in an cier. 1 7 2 0 .
Back view of half-length figure of Law in cocked hat, and
between the inscription v is ib il is . in v is ib il i s . (Visible, yet invisible.)
Leg. b a nq v ero d t Ift a la m o d e . (Bankruptcy is the
fashion.)
g a 2