I have two coins, which I was given by an uncle 23 years ago. The first one has the words Contre Valeur Deposee Au Tresor. In the center of the coin it has--- Bon Pour 50 cents 1897 (surrounded by a Greecian leaf headdress) On the other side---Francess Republique Colonie Dela Martinique. It also has a picture of a ladylike figure The second coin has --Spana Rey Conste---t (a few unreconizable letters)has a coat -of-arms which consists of six flowers (3 on each side) and a crown on the top . cinco centimos. The other side----Alfonso X11 Por La Gracia De Dios 1878 a man head in the center THANKS FOR ANY HELP I CAN GET
It looks like to get definitive information on this one, you'll have to wait for a real expert on French-related tokens to respond to your post.. What I can tell you is that the obverse outer legend means "against a deposit in the treasury", and the inner legend means "good for 50 centimes". The figure on the reverse is Marianne, the French embodiment of liberty, whom many people believe to be the inspiration for our own walking liberty half dollars and ASEs. No such coin/token is listed in the 19th Century volume of the Standard Catalog of World Coins under France, French Colonies, or Martinique. During the 20th Century there were Chamber of Commerce semi-official coins with the "bon pour" legend, but until now I was not aware of any in the 19th Century. Without a picture there's no way to be sure, but your description appears to match the one listed as KM#674 in the SCWC and Y#69 in the Yeoman numbering system. If so, it's a bronze 5 centimos, about 24mm in diameter, and valued between 75¢ and $90 in the 2001 3rd Ed. of the catalog, depending on condition. The legend "Rey Conste de Espana" means "King of Spain". Frankly, I have no idea what "Conste" means, and Babelfish won't translate it. "Por La Gracia De Dios", of course, is "By the Grace of God."
Hi Keshan, I'm no expert by any means , but I think I found the information you requested in the Standard Catalog of World Coins 1801-1900(4th ed 2004) on page 893. Here is the following information: KM#40 50 Centimes date: 1897, Mintage :600,000, compositon; Copper-Nickel, VG 15.00, F 25.00, VF 50.00, XF 135, and Unc 320. Your description of the coin fits the catalog's photo. I hope this has been helpful.
I forgot to add, it was listed under MARTINIQUE.By the way , there is one on auction on Ebay here listed: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170401254996
