FRANCE / CAPETIANS - FRANCE / ROYAL Louis XIV (1643-1715). Medal, death of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, by T. Bernard 1683, Paris. Av. IOAN. BAPT. COLBERT. REGNI. ADMINISTER. REGI. AB. INTIMIS. CONSILIIS. ET. MANDATIS. Bust of Jean-Baptiste Colbert right, draped, with lace tie; below, signature T. BERNARD. F. Rv. FIDE ET PRVDENTIA. Faith, as a helmeted Minerva with a spear wrapped around a snake, and Prudence, holding a key, with a dog at her feet, each holding a laurel wreath on an altar; at the exergue: OBIIT. VI. SEPT. AN. / M. DC. LXXXIII. Musée Beaux-Arts de Reims 902.31.1 ; Bronze - 266.1 g - 83.5 mm - 12 h Antique strike, without hallmark, contemporary or slightly later. A small blow under the bust on the right and a few fine scratches on the reverse. Beautiful brown patina. Superb. The Reims-born Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619-1683) was Comptroller General of Finances and an extremely influential minister under Louis XIV. He is often considered one of the greatest ministers in the history of France for his role in modernising the kingdom's economy and promoting manufacturing, trade and the navy. He implemented a policy of economic dirigisme, known as Colbertism, which shaped French politics for centuries.