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Message:: [QUOTE="cpm9ball, post: 2332460, member: 24633"]Have you ever noticed the word ARGENT stamped on the edge of older French medals? Or, maybe you noted that there was a 1ARGENT or 2ARGENT. Of course, "argent" is the French word for silver, but did you know that the French used 80% silver and 95% silver in their medals? How are you able to tell what percentage of silver is contained in your medal? At the end of the French Revolution in 1789 the new government lowered the standard from 95% to 80% to free up much needed capital. However, it wasn't until 1841 that the Paris Mint (Monnaies de Paris) began stamping the word ARGENT onto the edge of their medals. Apparently, this was necessary because some counterfeiters were pawning off 80% silver medals as 95% silver medals claiming that they were struck before 1789. Then, in 1878, the Paris Mint refined their system to allow medals struck in, both, 80% silver and 95% silver. Those medals struck in 95% silver had 1ARGENT stamped on the edge while those medals struck in 80% silver had 2ARGENT stamped on the edge. Supposedly, this practice continued until 1973. So, does anyone know what the standard is today? Chris[/QUOTE]