Jean Boisard was a learned Frenchman, who died around 1725. His birth date is not known. He is considered to be one of founders, in the 17th century, of numismatics

Numismatics

Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects. While numismatists are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, the discipline also includes the broader study of money and other payment media used to resolve debts and the...

, the science or specialized knowledge and collection of ancient medals and coins. He was Counsellor at the French royal “Cour des Monnaies

Cour des monnaies

The Cour des monnaies was one of the sovereign courts of Ancien Régime France. It was set up in 1552. It and the other Ancien Régime tribunals were suppressed in 1791 after the French Revolution.- Origins :...

”. In 1692, he published a short treatise

Treatise

A treatise is a formal and systematic written discourse on some subject, generally longer and treating it in greater depth than an essay, and more concerned with investigating or exposing the principles of the subject.-Noteworthy treatises:...

 on coins, entitled “Traité des Monnaies, de leurs circonstances et dépendances”. In his book (which was reprinted several times during the first quarter of the 18th century), very precise and accurate details were given on alloy

Alloy

An alloy is a mixture or metallic solid solution composed of two or more elements. Complete solid solution alloys give single solid phase microstructure, while partial solutions give two or more phases that may or may not be homogeneous in distribution, depending on thermal history...

 and on manufacturing secrets. As a result, the government forbade its circulation, being afraid that it could be used as a guidebook for counterfeit

Counterfeit

To counterfeit means to illegally imitate something. Counterfeit products are often produced with the intent to take advantage of the superior value of the imitated product...

ers. There are still some rare copies available, which are consulted by contemporary specialists of numismatics.

Works

• Traité des monoyes, de leurs circonstances et dépendances, 503 pp. Paris: La Veuve de J. B. Coignard & J. B. Coignard, 1692, & later editions in 1711, 1714 and 1723.

Sources

• Chaudon, Louis Mayeul
  Louis-Mayeul Chaudon
  -Life:He was born in Valensole. After studying in the colleges of Marseille and Avignon, Chaudon decided to become an ecclesiastic, and was admitted to the order of Saint Benedict at Cluny. Here he had the use of a library...
  
  : Nouveau Dictionnaire Historique-Portatif. Ouvrage dans lequel on expose sans flatterie et sans amertume, ce que les écrivains les plus impartiaux ont pensé sur le Génie, le Caractère et les Mœurs des Hommes célèbres dans tous les Genres. Amsterdam, 1770, Tome I
• Hoefer, Ferdinand : Nouvelle biographie générale, depuis les temps les plus reculés, jusqu’à nos jours. Paris (Didot) 1862, Tome VI.
• Nouveau dictionnaire historique, ou histoire abrégée de tous les hommes qui se sont fait un nom par des talens, des vertus, des forfaits, des erreurs ,etc depuis le commencement du monde jusqu’à nos jours. Lyon, 7ème édition, 1789, Vol. II
• La Grande Encyclopédie, inventaire raisonné des Sciences, des Lettres et des Arts. Paris, 1902, Tome VII
• Encyclopédie universelle du XXe siècle, Lettres, Sciences, Arts. Paris, 1908, Tome II