FRENCH JETONS FOUND IN RUSSIA

Over 300 years old, the 'jetons' - used in lieu of coins or for counting - were found along with artifacts hoarded by the Northern Selkups.

The French find and other intriguing and varied items were made during a dig in Yamalo-Nenets autonomous region, close to the Taz River. Exactly how the 'jetons' which bear Louis XIV's image came to this remote part of Siberia is not known.

Anthropologist Olga Poshehonova said a Russian-German team found 'seven similar counting tokens that depict Louis XIV'. Other discoveries - some dating to the 12th century - were 'several iron knives with handles with enamel decorations produced by Russians' and an intriguing 'lion figurine' of uncertain origin.

The treasure trove included 'brass decorations also made by Russian masters'.

One theory as to how the 'coins' reached Russia is that the tsarist government bought metal from items no longer used in European countries. Possibly they were bartered by Russians to the Northern Selkups, who were hunters and fishermen, who also herded reindeer.

Louis XIV reigned France from 1643 to 1715.

To read the complete article, see:
Stash of Sun King's valuables found close to Arctic in Siberia (http://siberiantimes.com/science/others/news/n0789-stash-of-sun-kings-valuables-found-close-to-arctic-in-siberia/)

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