You've heard about Guadeloupe and it being a double-island entity among a group of islands known as the Leeward Islands which, in and of themselves, are a part of the West Indies. You probably also know, though Columbus discovered Guadeloupe in 1493, it was settled by two Frenchmen, became a territory of the French Union in 1946, and in 1958 voted to become a member of the French Community. During Guadeloupe's existance as a viable world entity, it authorized two issues of two coins (50 Centimes and a 1 Franc) for circulation. They were issued in 1903 and 1921. Here's photos courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery: 50 Centimes: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...km45 50 Centimes (1903,1921)&query=Guadeloupe 1 Franc: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...upe km46 1 Franc (1903,1921)&query=Guadeloupe Be it known, for those of you who collect Essais and/or pieforts, the following were struck: A. Essais 1903 1. 50 Centimes in cupronickle 2. 50 Centimes in silver 3. 1 Franc in cupronickle 4. 1 Franc in silver B. Pieforts 1903 1. 50 Centimes cupronnickle 2. 1 Franc cupronickle C. Essai 1921 1. 1 Franc bronze Be it further known in 2004 France struck proof Essais Euro coins (non circulation): 2000 1/4 Euro in silver (0.2505 oz. ASW) 2000 1 1/2 Euro in silver (1.0149 oz ASW) 300 20 Euro in gold (0.2505 AGW) Here's a photo courtesy of Joel Anderson of the 1/4 Euro silver proof Essai: http://www.joelscoins.com/images/guadel14er.jpg Here's Joel's photo of the 1 1/2 Euro silver proof Essai: http://www.joelscoins.com/images/guadeloupe112er.jpg Here's Joel's photo of the gold 20 Euro proof Essai: http://www.joelscoins.com/images/guad20er.jpg Hope you enjoyed this post... Clinker
Thanks for the post, Clinker! These earlier issues, including the essai pieces, I find interesting. (Those 2004 medals were apparently made by some private company.) The plant on the 1903/1921 coins, you may have guessed it, is sugar cane ... Christian
Hi chrisild.... I was going to point that out, but opted not to (probably should have). Thanks... Clinker
To randygeki: Glad you think so. Trying to find some more interesting periodic numismatic give-a-ways other countries do for a future post... Clinker
