Can someone tell me what the heck this is and any info. on the coin? Should I have this in a safe deposit box? Thanks.
Copper sol of Louis XVI -- LUDOV.XVI ' D.GRATIA, central portrait left. Rev: FRANCIAE ET NAVARRAE REX, central crest with lis surmounted by crown. K=Bordeaux mint?
Wow so this really is a coin minted in 1789 or there abouts. I wondered about whether it was that old or not. The pictures dont do it justice but not in bad shape for being the age it is. BTW thanks for all the info. so far. From studying what I can provide and what you guys have said I cant believe its only worth about $10-15 for a 220 year old coin.
Yeah, it turns out that most coins, even very old ones, aren't worth a whole lot. Heck, I collect ancient Roman coins, and I've never payed more than $30 for any of them. I think it's pretty awesome that historical items like these can be purchased by common people.
I agree Gao, and to have this piece of such a historical figure from when he was in power I think is pretty neat. Where do you find a lot of your ancient Romans?
Ebay more than anywhere else, but I don't recommend using that before you know much about ancients, as it's easy to get ripped off, particularly with fakes. If you're interested, you should probably check out VCoins, which is a collection of small retailers that are all held to a high standard and give lifetime guarantees of authenticity, Forvm Ancient Coins, which is a very reputable store with a big selection, or Common Bronze, which focuses on selling uncleaned and other cheap, unidentified ancients. You can also check out local coin dealers and flea markets, since they sometimes have ancients, though their often not on display. If you live in or regularly visit Europe, you can also go metal detecting and make me terribly jealous.
In better condition this coin would go for FAR FAR more...several hundred to several thousand depending on type and condition...the best examples fetching 1 or 2 thousand...this coin would be very cheap simply because of its condition.
I agree. The only thing I know of the coin is that it was my Grandmothers grandfathers when he immigrated from France to the US. Im assuming he had owned it or just kept it for whatever reason and passed it down. I wish it were in better condition but Im just fascinated to own what I consider a real piece of history. I really dont care, personally, if it were worth $0.10 or $10k. I love owing it. I'd love to pick up some old British coins around the American Revolution time. Funny thing is too, my Grandmothers estate also had Nazi coins too which I have not posted as I really dont feel right posting stuff like that due to the History of what happened and the time. I cant say Im to terribly proud owing the stuff but I'll keep them also and just pass them down as well.
Bravo...thats exactly how I feel about my own collection of coins...regardless of the worth, I love having these little peices of history. As for the Nazi coins, nothing at all to feel bad about in regards to owning a nazi coin...its just a coin...coins are not bad or good, they are just objects. Nazis are part of history...a grim part but a part all the same. In the grand scheme of history and coins they are just another page. If you didnt collect coins from places where the government did bad things, your collection would be rather limited. In fact, the monarch on this coin was not what you would call an admirable character.
You are absolutely right, I feel bad for what the Nazi's did as do lots of folks Im quite sure but coins are as much of history than anything else. I look at each and every coin I own also as a piece of artwork. I just love collecting!!!
Its neat Just, Like this cat and his wife "Let them eat cake" had their heads chopped off on the Guillotine. This bought in the Terror of Rose Pierre and then Napoleon. Its a historic Lil piece Just. "Down with Aristocrats!!!!!" Traci (closet Jacobian)
