Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa is often revered as being one of the most important people in the history of the Roman Empire. A brilliant general, leader of men and `Emperor maker’, he defeated the fleets of Sextus Pompeii and was the prime mover in the defeat of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra at the famous battle of Actium.

With these and many more military accomplishments to his name in the service of Octavian (Caesar Augustus) we can easily overlook the fact that he was also a very accomplished architect and builder who studied with the Macedonians at Apollonia. Indeed, much of Rome’s restoration
during the reign of Augustus was due to the work of Agrippa as an architect.

Agrippa spent a good part of his time in Gaul establishing administration, and in developing roadways and aqueducts. One of his many projects of which the Pont Du Gard, in Languedoc is part was a 31
mile long aqueduct to bring water from the spring at Uzes to the Roman town at Nimes.

The Pont Du Gard (literally `bridge over the Gard’) was completed in the pre Christian era (circa 19 BC). It was built on three levels, is 49 m high, and 275 m long carrying a narrow roadway on the first level and a covered aqueduct on the top. In anyone's terms, it is a masterpiece of architecture, and a worthy statement as to the building and engineering skills of the Romans at that time.

See more details at: Here.

So. what does all this have to do with a jeton?

Well, the Pont du Gard was still in use as a bridge in the 1700’s but work was required to stabilise it and make it usable for future generations of Frenchmen. In 1743, during the reign of Louis XV work
commenced on a new bridge next to the arches of the lower level which basically widened the lower level and reinforced the pillars of the original.

Let’s face it, after giving some 1750+ years of active service, the original bridge is some accomplishment and worthy of having your name associated with it......Thus a jeton was duly issued by Louis XV 1747.

Here it is:-

This is the only example I have ever seen on the market and fortunately for me, the world appears to have been asleep when it popped it's head up a few months back. :-)

Being honest, I have to say that I wouldn’t have known of the existence of this architectural wonder had it not been for this particular jeton. It begged a little look around to find out what it was all about. Now I not only see the brilliance that the `sun king’ Louis XV wished me to see, but also the brilliance of Agrippa and technology of the Roman Empire.