Here's a new section that will be of interest to you.It is about Essai coins & other Pattern coin.I have got 3 such pieces in my collection - a 1950(a) 100 Francs from Monaco,& the New Hebrides 1967 10 & 20 Francs. The location of 'ESSAI' on the Monegasque coin is above the '100' in the space above the knight.The privy marks are at right.The privy mark is the Wing one of 1931-58. The location of 'ESSAI' on the New Hebrides 10 Francs is to the left of the head on the obverse.The privy marks flank the 'f' on the reverse.The privy mark is the Owl one of 1958-74.The 20 Francs is the same specifications. The New Hebrides ones are of interest to me,as the New Hebrides became independent in 1980 as a republic within the British Commonwealth,so therefore,the New Hebrides coins are the only French colonial coins that belong in a British Commonwealth coin collection. If you have got any Essais & other pattern coins,please leave either a description,or better still,post some scans with a closeup of the marking.
Not all essai issues actually have the word essai on them. And I've seldom if ever seen a pattern coin that had the word pattern on it. But here's some pics - sorry no closeups. 1848 5 franc essai obv 1848 5 franc essai rev 1978 gold 5 centime esaai obv 1978 gold 5 centime essai rev 2000 small dollar obv 2000 small dollar rev
Here's an `essai' of a silver jeton for the French Guild of Silk Manufacturers and Merchants. It's very 3 dimensional and therefore doesn't scan very well.
Well,Ian,one normally sees a number of pieces from Paris.But being from Lyon,it is very interesting in this respect.The location of the date is in a very odd place on the piece.By the way,did you have a good Hogmanay?
Lyon was quite prolific in relation to the issue of jetons some of which are miniature works of art. As to Hogmanay. I remained far too sober for my liking. :-(
Ian,I listened to a very new rendition of Auld Lang Syne to see in the New Year.I would've liked to have got on the ****,as the old saying goes.Do you drink beer,or do you drink whisky?
Ouch! That sounds like a fun way to see in the new year.......(?) I sign off with `Da mihi sis cerevisiam dilutam', which roughly translates as `make mine a light beer'. However, only as an accompanyment to a glass or three of Talisker single malt. ;-)
Switzerland issues trial pieces on a regular basis. Last year's Matterhorn coin, for example, came in a regular version (mintage about 100,000) and in an "essai" version (about 700). The primary difference is a little mark (circled cross with an E) on the reverse. http://www.swissmint.com/e/new/interesting.shtml Also, Poland used to do that a lot, especially with silver commems: In addition to the regular coins, alternative designs with a próba stamp were issued. Apparently they sold well to collectors in "capitalist" countries ... Christian
I have been away on holiday during which I managed to get a New Hebrides 1966 100 Francs essai.It is a beautiful proof-like piece of the standard 100 Francs design,but with 'ESSAI' added to the left of Madame Republique's head.It is listed at US$45 in Krause.
There is only one way Terry - by looking for them - and to keep on looking for them when you can't find one. It's really just that simple. There have been coins I have spent years looking for.
Well,a few years ago,I did manage to get the New Hebrides 1967 10 Francs & 20 Francs Essai coins.A dealer in Auckland had NZ$15 each on them at the time.My employer bought them.I in turn got them off him for something around NZ$50.I am always searching for coins that I don't have.For years,I had been looking for a 20c. coin from New Brunswick.I eventually found one a few weeks ago.
