I’m not sure there’s anything more frustrating than publishing a book, only to discover that tidbit of information that forms a new theory: one that would, indeed, have been included. Such is the case of the UFO jetons. These rare 17th century tokens, minted in France, bear images of strange objects in the sky. I examine these in my new book, Treasures of the Occult, exploring the various designs and comparing them with art and literature. Well, in this case, I clearly didn’t delve deeply enough!
France, 1656. Silver ‘UFO’ Jeton depicting a shield in the sky. Tokens such as these have been interpreted by some as evidence of extra-terrestrials. Image: Author’s Collection.
The exact meaning of the shields in the sky remains elusive. Many authors have posited their theories. Do they depict Ezekiel’s Wheel, when God appeared to the prophet as a wheel in the sky? This is favoured by Biblical scholars, for its Old Testament connotations, and ufologists for its connection to one of their favourite ancient astronaut theories. Perhaps the disk reflects a more ancient tale - that of the celestial ancile that fell from the sky in Rome, defeating a plague. Or maybe the shields are political propaganda, conjured up by the French War department to show their protection of the lands in uncertain and war-torn times. The Latin inscription, OPPORTVNVS ADEST, translates roughly to ‘It came at an opportune time’. So we have a Classical theory, a Biblical one, and a contemporary political case. I shall now present a medieval one.
Charlemagne is one of history’s most famous rulers. King of the Franks from 768-814, his rule saw extensive military campaigns in Europe, aimed at spreading Christianity through Europe. Alongside sweeping economic and social reforms, he carved out the Carolingian Empire and became the first Holy Roman Emperor: a title that would survive for centuries. Hundreds of stories have emerged and were recorded concerning his military actions, but one is of particular interest to us. In 776, during Charlemagne’s Saxon Wars (772-804) the hillfort at Sigiburg was besieged by Saxon forces. The strategic location overlooking the confluence of the rivers Ruhr and Lenne had changed hands numerous times. The Christian king’s forces were preparing for a final attack, when something bizarre occurred. The event is described in the Royal Frankish Annals, recorded from earlier descriptions:
One day, while they prepared for battle against the Christians in the castle, God's glory was made manifest over the castle church in the sight of a great number outside as well as inside, many of whom are still with us. They reportedly saw the likeness of two shields red with flame wheeling over the church. When the heathens outside saw this miracle, they were at once thrown into confusion and started fleeing to their camp in terror. Since all of them were panic-stricken, one man stampeded the next and was killed in return, because those who looked back out of fear impaled themselves on the lances carried on the shoulders of those who fled before them. Some dealt each other aimless blows and thus suffered divine retribution. How much the power of God worked against them for the salvation of the Christians, nobody can tell. But the more the Saxons were stricken by fear, the more the Christians were comforted and praised the almighty God who deigned to reveal his power over his servants. When the Saxons took to flight, the Franks followed on their heels as far as the River Lippe slaughtering them. Once the castle was safe, the Franks returned home.[1]
The ruins of Hohensyburg Castle sit atop the old Saxon hillfort of the Sigiburg. Image: Erich Ferdinand, CC 2.0 Generic.
Summarised, we have a description of two flaming shields, interpreted as the power of God, frightening away an army and breaking a siege, saving many Christian lives. It is an example of the bouclier celeste, or celestial shield, discussed in my book, which appears throughout the middle ages as a symbol of divine protection.[1] This event is lauded by many ancient astronaut theorists as an example of flaying saucers appearing in medieval Europe.[2] While I won’t delve into what these flying objects could have actually been, I shall note that there are striking similarities between the Sigiburg Shields and the UFO jetons. Firstly, the tokens depict a shield in the sky - sometimes flaming, sometimes not. Secondly, the shields in the story arrived at an opportune time. They absolutely represented opportunus adest, the inscription that appears on the 17th century jetons. I believe it is highly likely that the jetons minted in 1656 refer to this historic event which occurred nearly 1,000 years earlier. It may be that this event was chosen as it held political weight in the period. The jetons were struck in 1656, less than a decade after the end of the devastating Thirty Years War, in which France had played a role, and where it had fought against the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. The historic tale of the victorious French over Saxons/Germans, with God on their side, seems fitting for a propaganda piece issued by the French War Ministry. The UFO jetons of 1656 may indeed pay homage to an event which is interpreted by many as a medieval UFO encounter, reused for propaganda purposes in the aftermath of an enormous conflict.
![[1] Royal Frankish Annals, translated by Scholz, B. W., p. 53](https://competent-prize-bbe30fc6a2.media.strapiapp.com/image_d60aa7cd12.png)
