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Definition: assignat from The Chambers Dictionary

one of the paper bonds first issued in 1789 by the French government on the security of the appropriated church lands, and later (1790–97) accepted as notes of currency. [Fr]


assignat

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
During the French Revolution, a bond issued by the Constituent Assembly on the security of the confiscated landed property of the clergy. The object in issuing assignats was not only to obtain the full value of the confiscated lands, but also to supply the deficiency of coin in circulation. The first issue of bonds amounted to 400 million francs and was generally in notes of 100 francs each. At the beginning of 1791, the Legislative Assembly sequestered for the benefit of the state the property of all the wealthy émigrés, and in due course the crown estates. On these more assignats were issued, and by September 1792 the total amount issued was 2,700 million francs. Towards the end of 1792, the double effects of the general insecurity of property and person, and of the depreciation of assignats caused by their overissue, caused a general rise in prices, distress, and pillage of shops. To counteract the effects of acute poverty, extreme measures were taken by the Convention, and laws…
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Full text Article assignats

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
(ăs'ĭgnăts, äsēnyä'), paper currency issued during the French Revolution . To redeem the huge public debt and to counterbalance the growing deficit, the revolutionary constituent assembly issued (Dec., 1789) treasury notes, called assignats, to the amount of 400 million livres at 5% interest. These…
| 200 words
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Full text Article assignat

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
During the French Revolution, a bond issued by the Constituent Assembly on the security of the confiscated landed property of the clergy. The object in issuing assignats was not only to obtain the full value of the confiscated lands, but also to supply the deficiency of coin in circulation. The…
| 341 words
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Full text Article assignat

From The American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language
| 42 words
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Full text Article assignat

From The Chambers Dictionary
| 41 words
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Full text Article assignats

From Chambers Dictionary of World History
| 38 words
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Full text Article assignat

From Collins English Dictionary
| 40 words
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Full text Article assignat

From Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary
| 37 words
Assignats, or monetary instrument used during French Revolution, and French Revolutionary Wars, French Revolution, France, 18th century
Credit: Assignats, or monetary instrument used during French Revolution, and French Revolutionary Wars, French Revolution, France, 18th century / De Agostini Picture Library / G. Dagli Orti / The Bridgeman Art Library Description: Assignats, or monetary instrument used during the French Revolution, …
| 100 words , 1 image
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France, Paris, Paper bills called 'Assignats', issued from 1789 till 1796
| 89 words , 1 image
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Citizens contributing their assignats to equip a young man for war (gouache on card)
| 88 words , 1 image
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