No. 397 VERY RARE – Sack Porter’s Medal from the Town of La Ferté-sous-Jouarre

  
SACK PORTER’S MEDAL FROM THE TOWN OF LA FERTÉ-SOUS-JOUARRE

Two small holes for attachment. The medal was worn around the neck or at the waist.

Shipped by R3 registered mail (insured).

For shipping outside France, please contact me before bidding.

This sack porter’s medal from La Ferté-sous-Jouarre is a distinctive historical and numismatic collectible associated with the town’s traditional trades.

Here are the key details about this collector’s item.

What was a “sack porter”?

In the past, particularly during the 19th century, a sack porter was a laborer or dockworker responsible for carrying heavy loads, especially sacks of flour, grain, or plaster transported along waterways or through markets.

La Ferté-sous-Jouarre was historically the world capital of millstone production and an important trading center on the Marne River. Freight handling in the town was therefore closely regulated.

Features and purpose of the medal

This medal, sometimes called a guild medal, served as a work permit or official identification badge issued by the municipality.

It proved that the wearer was registered with the town hall and authorized to work in this trade within the town.

It generally bears an inscription beginning “VILLE DE LA FERTE S.”, the trade name “PORTE-SAC” (sack porter), and an individual identification number, engraved or cold-stamped, unique to each worker.

The obverse, or central area, may also display the town’s coat of arms.