France 1682 Louis XIV "The King Condemns Himself in His Own Cause" Medal (DOD)

France 1682 Louis XIV "The King Condemns Himself in His Own Cause" Medal (DOD)

The context of this fascinating medal is political propaganda -- or satire, depending on your point of view. The image on the reverse is titled Le Roi se condamnant lui-même ("The King Condemns Himself in His Own Cause"), and it shows Sun King Louis XIV seated on his throne, pushing down on one of the plates of the Scales of Justice. Justice stands leaning against a column draped with a map of the city of Paris. The Latin motif reads Fiscus causa cadens, which translates as "the treasury is losing its case." Below, Aequitas opt(imo) principis translates as "Fairness of the Greatest Emperor." The overall meaning is that Louis is willing to sacrifice his own interests for the betterment of his people -- even if it means losing his own wealth. The medal was issued in response to a legal dispute, where Louis allowed the tax authorities to lose the case in order to preserve homes built on old city ditches.