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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Honolulu Dick, post: 993850, member: 24745&quot;]Aloha Lady SilverQueen,</p><p><br /></p><p>Be advised that counterfeiting coins goes way back to the beginning.&nbsp; Probably to the eighth day, after the seventh day of rest.&nbsp; It is the second oldest profession and was needed to help pay for the first oldest profession.&nbsp; Your two coins bracket mine, a 1907, that I know is genuine.&nbsp; From the photographs [not exactly the best], yours appear to be as genuine as mine - detail is all there, in correct proportions and wear from circulation is appropriate.&nbsp; I&#039;m not alarmed by what is shown, just disappointed by the evidence of harsh cleaning your coins have suffered.</p><p><br /></p><p>The French colony of Indochina was comprised of the modern nations of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.&nbsp; Therefore, you have what amounts to a French Colonial Trade Dollar [notice the words Piastre De Commerce].&nbsp; Piastre is The Vietnamese word for their dollar.&nbsp; The coin was minted from 1885 to 1928 and was intended to compete with silver dollar size coins produced by other nations doing commerce in Asia.&nbsp; I have seen those that bear chop marks, proof that they were widely circulated.</p><p><br /></p><p>Known as the French Silver Piastre, the coin features Marianne, the French Lady Liberty, seated on a throne and holding a fasces in her right hand.&nbsp; In this instance, the fasces is a bundle of rods, secured around a spear, and symbolizes her badge of authority and that she is prepared to defend her territory.&nbsp; Above her feet are bundles of rice, indicating fertility of the land [rice being the staple crop].&nbsp; Notice that the seven points on her crown match those on our Statue of Liberty&nbsp; Even though she is at rest, the flowing lines of her robes suggest noble grace.&nbsp; What amuses me most about this coin is the unexplained arrowhead, seen between the 4 to 5 o&#039;clock position.&nbsp; It almost appears to be the outer end of the Devil&#039;s tail.&nbsp; Have no idea what it symbolizes or why it is shown.</p><p><br /></p><p>You have mentioned three generations, including yourself.&nbsp; These coins are now a legitimate portion of your family history.&nbsp; You have something solid to be appreciated and to pass along to subsequent generations.&nbsp; You know how good they feel in your hand [their heft] and how good [satisfying] they sound [only big silver does that].&nbsp; Keep them in your jewelry box and whenever your heart is troubled, use them as your comfort coins.&nbsp; Hold them, rub them together, smile at them and recall fond memories of your mother and grandpa.&nbsp; I do the same thing, but with wrenches.&nbsp; My jewelry box is a tool box.&nbsp; A guy thing.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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