FAUX-MONNAYAGE - Antoine MONGEZ (Lyon/ Rhône 1747-Paris 1835 - Lot 348

FAUX-MONNAYAGE - Antoine MONGEZ (Lyon/ Rhône 1747-Paris 1835) French Mint Administrator, scholar, numismatist, archaeologist, art historian - Letter signed "MONGEZ" with "L'Administration des Monnaies" letterhead, to the Imperial Commissioner at the BORDEAUX Mint. Paris, 30 Messidor An 12 (July 19, 1804). 3 pages in-4°. Long letter on counterfeiting: "His Excellency has approved, Sir, the measures we have proposed to monitor the manufacture of counterfeit money. This surveillance has been virtually abandoned in the départements, and emboldened counterfeiters have never been more numerous. It can easily be re-established by having it exercised by the controllers of the guarantee offices, to whom the law of 19 brumaire an 6 entrusts that relating to the title and guarantee of works of gold and silver. Imperial mint commissioners can also contribute to this surveillance. They frequently have the opportunity to examine counterfeit coins. It is then easy for them to obtain initial information, which they can pass on to the inspectors, who can then make the most of it... The aim is to prosecute counterfeiters, and to stop a type of crime that is essentially prejudicial to public order...".