The E-Sylum:  Volume 5, Number 26, June 23, 2002, Article 6

LATIN LINGO FOLLOW-UP

  In reference to the outpouring of replies to his question about
  the Latin phrase "AMAT AUREA CONDERE SAECLA",
  NBS Vice President John W. Adams writes:

  "Those were indeed a fabulous set of responses.  The phrase
  (which I copied correctly) appears on a French medal dated
  1716.  Louis XV occupies the obverse with the usual royal
  inscription.  The reverse has the aforementioned motto over
  a rendition of the goddess of commerce.

  Sotheby's in its Duke of Northumberland sale (1980) ascribe
  the medal to John Law's Banque Generale, as does Bowers
  and Merena in its LaRiviere III sale last year.  However, there
  seems to be no other evidence linking the piece to John Law,
  who founded his bank in order to reduce dependence on
  specie, gold included.   Louis and his Regent, the Duke of
  Orleans had specifically declined participation in Law's bank
  (they reversed course in 1718), so the historical facts argue
  in some measure against Sotheby's and Bowers' attribution.
  My enthusiastic thanks to your respondents,"

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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