19TH CENTURY FRENCH 5 FRANCS TYPE SET

Just curious. In a nutshell, how do you do it? I use qtips and acetone, and it works pretty good. Sometimes the verdigris is more entrenched and requires a harder swab down, but I've learned that this can result in evidence of cleaning, especially on uncs and proofs. Other than that, I haven't found much else to work

 

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Depends on the coin. An ugly toned unc? Watered down dip. Dirty coin? Acetone bath. Verdigris? Verdicare. If it's an ancient with lots of verdigris I will scrape off the worst first. Every coin is unique, so you need to know what treatment for each problem. I never use anything to scrub the surface though on modern coins.

 

Nice collection of 5 francs JAK, love those big silver coins & welcome to CT!

 

I've never heard of verdicare. Is that mainly for ancients?

 

For any bronze disease. Badthad here sells it.

 

NIce set of coins! Two thumbs up!!

 

Thanks, I have a new one coming today. A 1849A Hercules Group from the 2nd Republic. I'll be posting pictures tomorrow.

 

Here's my newest addition to my type set.

 

Nice. I had a type set going too at one time. I still have most of 20th and late 19th century French crowns. I'm always looking out for a Napoleon one of course. In decent condition they r pricey for me. If I have some crowns graded clean by ngc and icg, should I crack them out? I'd like to start up my type set again but I feel I might lose out financially if I crack them out. For example, I got one that looks like it had an old cleaning but it got an f15 by ngc.

 

There's nothing wrong with slabbed coins, it's just not for me. I'm from the old school, I like my coins in albums, or in all the same holders like the quadrum 2x2 I use. It makes for a nice display, and I am always looking at my coins, lol. Also I don't collect high value coins, I've never spent more than $350 for a single coin. I wouldn't crack out your coins unless you have a compelling reason to, it's true that resale is usually easier if it's slabbed.

 

Thanks for replying. You make some good points. I also don't spend too much on single coins. I also look at my coins a lot, and I like having a lot to look at, so my focus is on quantity. I guess I will hang on to my slabs. One day I'll get those pages for them and put them in binders like most of my coins

 

Here are a couple Napoleon 5 francs in an old school Morgan book

 

Very nice 5 franc coins. I have been tempted many times to collect this series but I need to start collecting another series like I need another hole in the head.

Very nice and happy collecting.

 

Very nice premier consul, is it the 1803 or the 1804? I need both. I just purchased a 1824W Louis XVIII I should get it by next weekend. I'm going to be bidding on a couple of Charles X over the next couple of days.

 

Oh my, those napoleons are amazing. Nice finds!

 

The premier consul is 1803 (AN12-M). I don't focus on French coins but the history of Napoleon is hard to resist.

 

The other is an 1812 which kind of goes with the AN12

 

Newest addition to my 5 franc type set.

 

Here's one of mine. I used to collect French but gave it up some years ago.
I brought photos of this + some of my others pieces to coin shop owners in Paris 2 years ago but they weren't impressed and told me this piece was pretty common.


This is the last gasp of the Napoleonic dynasty: Napoleon IV but struck before he had any power in Switzerland in 1874 (ex Stack's sale).

I made a foolish mistake and missed buying a nice 100 days 5 Francs some time ago also. One always remembers the ones that got away...

 

Here's one more new one.