Domaines nationaux. France 15 Sols / Issue of 1793 / Series 1844.

The Domaines nationaux 15 Sols assignat from France, issued in 1793, is a fascinating artifact from the French Revolution—a time when paper currency was not just a financial instrument but a political statement.

🏛️ Historical Context

• Assignats were revolutionary paper money first issued in 1789, backed by confiscated church and noble lands (the "domaines nationaux").
• By 1793, France was deep in revolutionary turmoil, and assignats had become a primary medium of exchange.
• This particular note—15 sols (¾ of a livre tournois)—was issued under the First French Republic, during Year II of the Republic (L'An 2.me).

📜 Key Features of the 15 Sols Assignat

Attribute	Description
Issuer	First French Republic
Date of Issue	May 23, 1793
Denomination	15 sols (¾ livre tournois)
Currency	Livre tournois (used until 1795)
Material	Paper
Size	Approx. 79 × 68 mm
Design	Allegorical women seated at bottom; revolutionary symbols and slogans
Text	“Assignat de quinze sols, payable au porteur”
Watermarks	Variants include “LA NATION” or “RF/15s” depending on series2
Security Features	Dry stamps (timbres à sec), watermark, and anti-counterfeit warnings
Designer	Nicolas-Marie Gatteaux; engraved by Gérard (“GERARD FECIT”)3
Slogans	“LA LOI PUNIT DE MORT LE CONTREFACTEUR” / “LA NATION RÉCOMPENSE LE DÉNONCIATEUR”
Series Number	Example: Series 1844 (one of thousands printed)
Reverse	Blank