I saw this auction and I was wondering if this is really what this guy says it is. He says it is an ultra rare pattern trial. I can't read French, but I see that it says "imitation" on the coin, and that makes me wonder if it's a reproduction. Does anyone know anything about this sort of thing? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Rare-...096?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b8b210a0
Firstly, I know absolutely nothing about coins, so I'm not even sure why I'm responding This coin looks like a game piece, to me. The obverse says "Token for playing" and the reverse "Bank of games - imitation". Here's a game piece banknote, which seems to fall into the same type of "collectible"... if you collect monopoly money, that is. Dave
Thanks, Dave. That's really helpful. I'd say you're probably exactly right about it being a game piece. I'm glad I didn't decide to bid on this "can't-miss opportunity."
The listing title alone says it's not a French pattern. I mean, a French pattern made in Nuremberg? LOL! It's cool to see though, I personally like the L. Christoph Lauer play-money pieces. This is the first of this particular French type that I've seen. They made a wide variety of pieces that were based on existing coins and also complete fantasy designs. It was never intended as a game piece, only as a toy coin for children.
Google/Numismaster/World Coin Gallery/Numista turned up nothin. I agree with the above assessment that this is play money. Marque pour Jouer is roughly Money for Play It has the same design as other small denomination copper coins in the 1880's but I recall no trial 2 centimes pieces in all my French readings. The only copper trial pieces prior to 1900 minted by the French came under Napoleon when there were none being made for general circulation. Post-1900 idk. I will say though, this particular play piece probably came from the late 1800's or early 1900's unless they still make them with old designs. Well, I went ahead and bid on it. Cool piece anyways. Hope nobody else here was bidding
Oh ok. Pretty cool. Speaking of French coins picked up a 1946 and 1960 1 Franc today out of the 3/$1 world coin bin. Got an 1851 1/2 Kreuzer from the German State of Bavaria along with a bunch of 6 Pence and a coin from Guyana and one from The Republic of Trinidad and Tobaco, all from the same bin, as well.
I wasn't bidding on it so I'm glad you are getting a chance if it's something you like. I've been trying to assemble a collection of French coins but it's not a huge interest area for me. I just check eBay once in awhile and see if anything cheap is up that I don't have. Unfortunately there are several expensive coins in the modern era, which is bad for me. They also seem to have basically almost stopped making coins for much of the 80s and 90s. Many years there are coins, but with mintages in the tens of thousands. That makes it really hard to finish any sets.
You should have bought it for his newborns sake. He is having a baby didn'cha know? It will also be the 4th addition to their family. He should have listed it as "Ultra Rare French Baby Coin Shower"
Yeah, I don't know who would be more inclined to buy something because the seller has a sob story, but maybe it's worth a shot. I find it annoying when eBay sellers junk up their listings with narrative and exposition that has nothing to do with the auction. I just want to know about the item. Then of course there's the other extreme where they don't even take the time to tell you what year the coin is.
