Offered here is a French silver jeton associated with the Academy of Archers at Lyon, likely dating to the 1700s.

One side features Fame flying to the right, blowing a trumpet and holding a palm branch, with bows and an arrow below. The Latin legend reads DEXTERITATI DEBITA MERCES, roughly meaning “the reward due to skill” or “a deserved reward for dexterity.”

The other side displays crossed bows surrounding a downward-pointing arrow, with the inscription ACADEM. SAGITTAR. LVGDVN., referring to the Academy of Archers at Lyon. LVGDVN is the Latinized form of Lugdunum, meaning Lyon.

This type is associated with the Compagnie des Chevaliers de l’Arc, or Company of the Knights of the Bow, and was used as a reward for skilled marksmen. Some references note that the dies for this type may have been made by André Le Brun, an engraver from Lyon.

The piece has visible silver toning with blue, gold, gray, and rose-colored highlights, mainly visible under light. It also shows surface wear, small marks, light polishing marks visible under magnification, and visible edge damage along part of the rim. Please review all photos carefully, as they are part of the description.

A nice historical piece for collectors of French jetons, silver tokens, archery history, Lyon exonumia, early modern French medals, and 1700s European collectibles.

Details:

* Country: France

* Region: Lyon / Lyonnais

* Era: Likely 1700s

* Type: Jeton / token coin

* Metal: Silver

* Subject: Academy of Archers / Chevaliers de l’Arc

* Legend: DEXTERITATI DEBITA MERCES

* Inscription: ACADEM. SAGITTAR. LVGDVN.

* Approximate size: Shown beside a U.S. cent for scale

* Condition: Circulated antique condition with silver toning, surface wear, light polishing marks under magnification, and visible rim damage

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