Hi: I am new to CoinTalk and I was hoping to get some help with a coin I have. It is a French 5 Centimes piece. The date on the coin is L'AN 4 mintmark "A". The things that make this item interesting are the counter stamps. The obverse is stamped with an H and an M and 2 stars. The reverse is stamped with IHD in a punch mark that looks like an upside-down slice of bread and 2 Xs. I would appreciate any information anyone could provide regarding the counter stamps and why they were applied to the coin. Coin_007
Howdy coin_007 - Welcome to the Forum !! I did a good bit of searching and was unable to find any reference to a countermark such as you describe. But if they are actual countermarks, placed there by a govt. entity - the reason why is easy, they wanted to re-value the coin. And based on the marks you describe it could mean they valued it at 2 cents or 20 cents. The hard part is determining who made the countermarks. Of course it is also possible they were not placed on the coin by a govt. entity but rather by an individual who did so for his/her own personal reasons.
to CoinTalk Mr. Bond. May I suggest that you whip out your eyeglass digital camera, take good pictures of both sides of your coin, and post them so we can see exactly what you are talking about? There were some 12.3-million pieces minted at Paris in 1795, but the Krause Standard Catalog of World Coins doesn't specify how many in each variety. My 2002 3rd Ed. 18th Century volume values it at $5 VG to $60 XF, whether it's the straight "4", or the "4/3" variety. French coins are halfway around the world from my specialty, but I can't find anything in Krause about the counterstamps you describe.
Sounds like merchant countermarks placed on the coin for use as a token. I've come across various different countermarks on coins / jetons of France. Some specify their use in the colonies, others (like this one by the sound of things) placed by a merchant so the `coin' can be used in exchange for their goods / services only. While each such countermark probably has its own story to tell, so far I haven't been able to trace a single one back to base (specific merchant / location). I'm sure there will be a book somewhere concerning these countermarks, but as it's an area I only have a passing interest in, sad to say I don't have it. The one mentioned sounds interesting though. i'd be keen to see an image of it. Ian
To all who asked for a picture, as soon as I find out how to upload one I will. Thank you for your help so far. coin_007
Roy,sorry to have doubted you.I was putting in the conversion of how to convert the French Republican date into the Christian calendar just to make life a bit simpler. Aidan.
