This is a good point and a very common misconception. An essai does not always mean the coin was struck using techniques associated with proof strikes (i.e., special handling, prepared planchets, multiple strikes, special dies, etc.). Put simply, an essai is just a trial or a pattern intended to be put forth for approval. These coins can be struck in a manner of ways that can lead a host of designations (e.g., MS, SP, PF/PR). Put simply, just because a coin is an essai does not mean it is a proof coin.
I have always considered the foreign Essai and the American patterns to be of equal status, or as you said, for approval. The American are almost always referred to as proofs. The Essai coins I have seen look to be of a similar quality. Of course, there are several examples of coins struck for circulation in a low quantity that all those coins struck can be called proof.
There's some great pieces in this! What is the fifth coin? The Arabic one? I also really like the Pacific Games Papua New Guinea coin.
Here are a couple ancients I've been working on. I have pictured the best reference I could find but if anyone knows of any attribution corrections or closer varieties and such please let me know. Some are not the best photo especially with the light and glare. Post-Mauryan India Ujjain Region Circa 184-150 BCE Copper Rectangle; 0.98g - 9x10mm Four (?) punchmarks, including two suns See Z#228890 (shown below), category SOUTH ASIA » India » Indigenous coinage » Mauryan and early Sunga Empire » Mauryan type basemetal PMCs of early post-Mauryan period -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Indo-Scythians Azes II Circa 35 BCE - 5 CE AE Quarter Unit; 2.27g - 16mm Obv: "BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY AZOY", humped bull with monogram above Rev: Lion standing right with Kharoshthi script around Ref.: Senior 102.113b (?) -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Roman Empire Gaul-region illicit imitation altar type Claudius II (post-humous) Circa 270-early 300s CE AE; 1.15g - 11x13mm Obv: Radiate bust right Rev: Crude altar with illegible script around -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Roman Empire Constans 346-348 CE Trier Mint AE4; 1.49g 16mm Obv: Laurel and rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right, CONSTANS-PF AVG Rev: GLORI-A EXER-CITVS, two soldiers holding banner with an M, above TRP mintmark Ref.: RIC VIII Trier 112 -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Spanish Empire Felipe IV 1641 CE Madrid Mint 8 Maravedis; 5.71g - 20mm Obv: Dot over VIII counterstamped over castle Rev: 1641 counterstamped over rampant lion
Thanks John! That really means a lot. I try to get the most history for my money out of my coins typically so it definitely leads me into some pretty interesting territory!
I have been in the market for an Osroes II drachm & ended up getting a good deal on this particular one. Seemed like some ebay bidder were asleep with this one. Osroes II (190 - 208 A.D.) AR Drachm O: Diademed bust left, wearing long beard, earring, and tiara with ear flap and spiral torque, and decorated with “hooks”; all within pelleted border. R: “hwcrw mlk” in Parthian/IΛIΛIIΛI- VV/ΛVΓV(quadrate O) XΛIΛ (sic), archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow; monogram below bow, Λ below feet. Ecbatana Mint 3.3g 19mm Sellwood 85.1; Shore 437
Came across this little bunch of Mexicans somebody put together in a makeshift holder, all brilliant BU and the peso has some nice toning...
Also this Hu-peh Province 10 Cash, struck 1902-5. I really like a lot of the early 20th-century Chinese bronzes, but try to find them that aren't heavily worn, damaged, corroded, etc. This one is a strong EF with lovely color...
And lastly a George III twopence. I can't resist buying these things if they're nice examples at a decent price...